New Delhi Slams ‘Coordinated’ Disinformation Campaign Involving Chinese Vloggers in Dhaka

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially denounced a systematic misinformation campaign involving Chinese social media influencers who have been masquerading impoverished areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh, as locations within India’s national capital, New Delhi. The activity, which has sparked significant concern, involves nearly 150 Chinese nationals reportedly filming in slums to craft a derogatory narrative about Indian living standards for their home audiences.

Distortion of Reality

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the controversy during a recent briefing, describing the attempts to misrepresent the geography and socio-economic conditions of any nation as “unfortunate.” He emphasized that such deceptive practices ultimately damage the reputation of the digital creators involved and the entities supporting their operations.

“The peddling of false narratives only undermines the credibility of the actors involved,” Jaiswal stated, highlighting that the deliberate misattribution of locations is a calculated exercise rather than a series of innocent errors.

Tactics of the Disinformation Network

An investigative report by the Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo brought the issue to light, detailing how these vloggers infiltrate neighborhoods like Tekpara and Uttara in Dhaka. Using platforms such as Douyin (the Chinese counterpart to TikTok) and WeChat, these individuals livestream content while explicitly claiming to be in New Delhi.

The content produced is characterized by inflammatory and often grotesque misinformation. In one documented instance, a vlogger identified as ‘Mianmian’ filmed near a canal in Uttara, describing the scene as a typical Delhi neighborhood. She claimed the area lacked basic amenities like electric fans and characterized the living conditions as “underdeveloped, dirty, and unhygienic.” Another vlogger, ‘Wang Wei,’ was recorded mocking local tea vendors with malicious, unfounded claims about their ingredients, further inciting negative sentiment toward the image of India.

Local Impact and Unauthorized Incursions

The operation appears to be well-funded and organized, with local facilitators reportedly being hired to guide these foreign nationals through narrow residential lanes. These guides receive daily payments of 700 to 800 Bangladeshi Taka to help the vloggers navigate the city.

The presence of these filming crews has caused significant distress among local residents in Dhaka. Reports indicate that the crews frequently ignore privacy boundaries, entering private homes, kitchens, and residential courtyards without obtaining consent. While some vloggers have attempted to pass off their activities as “commercial promotion,” analysts and investigators believe the consistency and nature of the disparagement point toward a deeper, state-aligned psychological operation designed to shape geopolitical perceptions.

Administrative and Security Concerns

Though local law enforcement in the Uttara West district of Dhaka has acknowledged the presence of these individuals, the motives behind this systematic misrepresentation remain under administrative scrutiny. The incident has raised questions regarding visa violations and the misuse of local hospitality to fuel cross-border information warfare.

As investigations continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by coordinated digital campaigns in the era of short-form video content. By blending real-world footage with malicious fabrications, these actors are attempting to influence international and domestic public opinion through a distorted lens, a move that New Delhi has categorized as a clear and concerning anti-India provocation.

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