DigitEye India Fact Checkers
An image showing Indian PM Narendra Modi with the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ‘MBZ’ has been shared on WhatsApp showing the latter wearing a saffron outfit. The caption in Hindi reads: “This is Modi! He himself does not wear a cap, but made the sheik to wear saffron.” (in English translation). It was making rounds on the occasion of PM Modi’s visit to UAE currently (February 2024).
FACT CHECK
Digiteye India received a fact-check request on its WhatsApp tip line. When our team searched for the image on Google Image Search, we found that it was an old image shared in 2021 and debunked by fact-checkers every time it appeared on social media. Further search revealed that the occasion was from 2021 when PM Modi visited UAE, where he was conferred the UAE’s prestigious Zayed Medal.
When we further searched for the original picture, we were able to locate the one on the official PIB account, where the image of both leaders shaking hands was provided depicting that the UAE conferred the medal on Indian PM.
The original doesn’t show the UAE ruler in saffron attire as per the claim, but it matches Modi’s medal (garland) clearly. The caption reads: “The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being conferred with the UAE’s highest civilian award ‘Order of Zayed’ by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at Abu Dhabi, in UAE on August 24, 2019.” The picture released by Press Information Bureau can be seen below:
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being conferred with the UAE’s highest civilian award ‘Order of Zayed’ by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at Abu Dhabi, in UAE on August 24, 2019. (PIB)
Hence, the picture is a fake one, photoshopped to show UAE ruler in saffron attire.
Claim: Modi himself does not wear a cap but make the sheikhs wear saffron.
Conclusion: False. The viral image is photoshopped.
Rating: Misrepresentation — 
