Fact Check: Maldives displays PM Modi’s portrait with a message of “surrender”? No, viral image is digitally altered
A digitally altered image of PM Modi’s portrait on the wall of the Maldives’ Defence Ministry building with the word “surrender” is circulating on social media.
By Md Mahfooz Alam
Claim:Maldives displays PM Modi’s portrait on the newly constructed Defence Ministry building with a message of “surrender”.
Fact:The claim is false. The image has been digitally altered. Original images do not show the word “surrender” above the portrait.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Maldives from July 25 to 26, 2025, as part of a two-nation tour. He was the Guest of Honour at the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations.
This is Modi’s first visit under President Mohamed Muizzu, following a period of strained ties triggered by Muizzu’s pro-China stance and the 'India Out' campaign, which called for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel after he assumed office in 2023. During the visit, India announced a ₹4,850 crore Line of Credit to support development projects and formally launched negotiations for an India–Maldives Free Trade Agreement (IMFTA).
Meanwhile, an image showing PM Modi’s portrait on the wall of the Maldives’ Defence Ministry building with the word “surrender” above it has gone viral on social media. It is being suggested that, after strained relations, Modi has surrendered to the Maldives.
Sharing the image, an X user wrote, “This is the building of the Maldives' Ministry of Defence. The picture is of India's Prime Minister. Is the name written as Surrender?” (Archive)
Fact Check
NewsMeter found the claim to be false. The viral image has been digitally altered.
A reverse image search led us to the same image posted by the X handle of Sansad TV on July 25. This image does not show the word “surrender” above Modi’s portrait.
“This is how the Ministry of Defence building in Male, Maldives, looks today,” read the post caption.
Times Now posted the image captioned, “The Ministry of Defence building in Malé, Maldives, as it looks today, with the arrival of PM Narendra Modi.” This image also does not show the word “surrender” above Modi’s portrait.
We also found several images from Prime Minister Modi’s visit, including one of the same building displaying his portrait, shared by the official X handle of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The post mentioned that Modi was warmly welcomed by President Mohamed Muizzu at Republic Square and was honoured with a Guard of Honour by the MNDF. This image, captured from a different angle, also does not feature the word “surrender.”
Below is the comparison of the altered and original images.
Why was Modi’s portrait displayed on the Maldives Ministry of Defence building?
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi and Maldivian President Muizzu jointly inaugurated the new state-of-the-art Ministry of Defence building in Malé. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the eleven-storey structure symbolises the strong defence and security partnership between India and the Maldives. Built with Indian financial assistance, the facility aims to strengthen the capabilities of the Maldives' defence and law enforcement agencies.
Therefore, we conclude that the viral image showing Prime Minister Modi’s portrait on the wall of the Maldives’ Defence Ministry building with the word “surrender” has been digitally altered.
