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India condemns alleged Chinese campaign misrepresenting Bangladesh as Indian cities

India's government has protested a coordinated effort by approximately 150 Chinese content creators who are allegedly filming impoverished areas in Dhaka and presenting them as scenes from Indian cities. The Ministry of External Affairs characterized the campaign as a deliberate attempt to damage India's international image.

LSN India · 10 November 2026

India condemns alleged Chinese campaign misrepresenting Bangladesh as Indian cities

New Delhi has lodged a formal complaint regarding what officials describe as a coordinated disinformation campaign involving Chinese nationals working across Bangladesh's capital. According to reports, the content creators have been systematically documenting underdeveloped neighbourhoods in Dhaka and misrepresenting them in online broadcasts as locations within India, with particular focus on portraying Indian cities in a negative light.

The scale of the operation has drawn particular concern from Indian authorities, with approximately 150 Chinese nationals reportedly involved in the documentation and distribution efforts. The footage, once produced, is being circulated through various digital platforms to audiences across Asia and beyond, amplifying the reach of the allegedly misleading content.

Indian officials view the campaign as part of a broader pattern of coordinated digital operations designed to undermine India's global reputation. The government has indicated that it is monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with relevant authorities to address the matter through appropriate diplomatic channels.

The incident underscores growing concerns about the use of social media and digital platforms for organized disinformation campaigns targeting countries. India has previously raised concerns about coordinated online operations emanating from certain quarters, signalling that it remains vigilant against such efforts to manipulate public perception and spread false narratives about the nation.