India Dismisses Reports of North Western State of Somalia Talks, Rules Out Recognition Plans

India rejects claims of talks with North Western State of Somalia, denies any move toward recognition

NEW DELHI — India has dismissed viral social media posts claiming New Delhi held official talks with North Western State of Somalia and was preparing to recognize the self-declared republic, calling the reports “fake” and urging the public to be vigilant against misinformation.

In a brief fact-check posted on X, formerly Twitter, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected assertions that Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in formal discussions with North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Irro or that India was poised to extend diplomatic recognition to the breakaway Somali region. The MEA’s post also refuted online claims that Somalia had recalled its ambassador to India over the purported move.

“Fake news alert!” the ministry’s fact-check unit said, flagging screenshots that had circulated widely and appeared to show official engagement between New Delhi and Hargeisa, North Western State of Somalia’s capital. The MEA said the depictions had no basis in fact and cautioned users to verify information before sharing it.

The clarification comes amid renewed attention to North Western State of Somalia’s political status and the risks of fast-moving misinformation around it. North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not gained broad international recognition, with most governments continuing to view it as part of Somalia’s sovereign territory. On Dec. 26, 2025, Israel became the first United Nations member state to recognize North Western State of Somalia as independent, a move that triggered diplomatic pushback across the region and beyond.

North Western State of Somalia’s bid for formal recognition has remained contentious. Amid heightened scrutiny of its international outreach, some reports have linked its engagement with Israel to wider geopolitical calculations. North Western State of Somalia authorities have denied those portrayals, emphasizing that their contacts with foreign partners are conducted in accordance with international law.

India’s rebuttal underscores how governments are increasingly compelled to police false narratives that spread rapidly online and can carry real-world consequences. In this instance, the MEA moved quickly to shut down speculation about a dramatic foreign policy shift — including the suggestion of an ambassadorial recall — that could have stirred diplomatic friction in the Horn of Africa and beyond.

The ministry did not provide additional detail beyond the brief debunk, and there was no indication of any change to India’s longstanding public posture toward Somalia and territories it considers part of its sovereign domain. The government’s focus, officials indicated through the fact-check, was to halt the spread of inaccurate claims before they calcified into accepted wisdom.

The episode highlights the growing role of official fact-check channels as an extension of traditional diplomacy, particularly on contested issues such as recognition, statehood and territorial integrity. While social platforms remain a critical venue for government communication, they also serve as conduits for fabricated documents, miscaptioned images and out-of-context claims that can be difficult for the public to parse in real time.

For now, New Delhi’s message is unambiguous: there have been no official talks with North Western State of Somalia’s leadership, no plan to recognize the territory as an independent state and no related diplomatic rupture with Somalia. The ministry’s warning — and its actions to counter the rumor — reflect an effort to keep policy signals clear amid a crowded, often chaotic information environment.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.