Fact-Checking the Macron-Modi Handshake Controversy: A Manufactured Narrative

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By Global Governance News

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 13th Feb. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to France this week has been the center of global attention, with numerous meetings, diplomatic engagements, and high-profile interactions making headlines. As expected, every move of the Bharatiya Prime Minister has been closely scrutinized, not just by supporters but also by detractors eager to find anything that could be used to tarnish his image.

A viral video circulating on social media claims that French President Emmanuel Macron deliberately refused to shake hands with PM Modi, sparking a debate over whether this was an intentional diplomatic snub. However, a closer look at the full video and other available footage proves that this claim is misleading and taken out of context. This episode highlights the growing trend of misinformation in political discourse, where selective editing and misinterpretation are used to manufacture controversies.

The Viral Claim: Did Macron Ignore Modi?

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The controversy began when a short video clip was shared widely on social media, showing President Macron shaking hands with other leaders at the AI Action Summit in Paris. Some users alleged that Modi extended his hand for a handshake, but Macron ignored him.

Prominent figures, including Congress leader Apoorva Bhardwaj and several social media users, shared the clip with captions suggesting that the Bharatiya Prime Minister had been publicly insulted. Some went as far as calling it a diplomatic setback, fueling speculation about strained relations between Bharat and France.

However, this narrative falls apart upon deeper scrutiny.

The Truth: Context Matters

A thorough investigation of the full video, including footage from President Macron’s own social media account, provides a completely different perspective. Macron himself had posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), warmly welcoming PM Modi to France. In his post, he tagged Modi and US Vice President JD Vance, emphasizing the importance of their participation in the summit.

The extended footage clearly shows Modi and Macron walking together, engaging in conversation before taking their seats. The moment in question—where Macron is seen shaking hands with other leaders—occurred after the two had already greeted each other. Given that Modi and Macron had just entered together, the French President was naturally focusing on greeting other attendees at that moment. This is standard diplomatic protocol, not an intentional snub.

Further, multiple videos available on YouTube show Modi and Macron sharing warm interactions throughout the visit, including exchanges of pleasantries, handshakes, and even embraces—contradicting the claim that Macron deliberately ignored the Bharatiya Prime Minister.

Manufactured Outrage and Political Opportunism

This incident is yet another example of how misinformation can be used as a political tool. The selective cropping of videos to create a misleading narrative is a common tactic used to generate controversy where none exists. In this case, the attempt was to portray Modi as being disrespected on the global stage—despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Such misinformation not only misleads the public but also damages Bharat’s diplomatic image by falsely suggesting strained relations with key global partners. France and Bharat share a strong strategic partnership, one that has been reinforced by multiple high-level engagements, defense deals, and economic collaborations. It is illogical to assume that Macron, who has publicly expressed his admiration for Modi on numerous occasions, would deliberately ignore him in such a setting.

The Bigger Picture: Misinformation in the Digital Age

The ease with which manipulated content spreads on social media raises serious concerns about the integrity of public discourse. In an era where political narratives are increasingly shaped online, misinformation can distort perceptions, influence opinions, and create unnecessary diplomatic tensions.

While constructive criticism and accountability are essential in any democracy, spreading misleading claims based on selective video clips is neither responsible nor ethical. The responsibility lies with both media outlets and individuals to verify facts before sharing content that could mislead the masses.

Conclusion

The viral claim that French President Emmanuel Macron refused to shake hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is completely false and misleading. The full footage and multiple other videos clearly show that Macron and Modi had already greeted each other, and Macron’s actions were in line with normal diplomatic protocol.

This controversy serves as a reminder of how misinformation is weaponized in political discourse, often to create unnecessary outrage. As Bharat continues to strengthen its global partnerships, it is crucial to distinguish between genuine concerns and fabricated narratives designed to undermine its leadership. The lesson here is clear: context matters, and so does responsible fact-checking before jumping to conclusions.

 

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