Photo Of Drone Show Welcoming PM Modi In China Is Manipulated

An edited photo from China is being shared on social media with the false claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed with a drone show during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

PM Modi visited China after seven years to attend the 25th SCO summit, which began in Tianjin on August 31, 2025, and concludes on September 1. During the visit, PM Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and discussed strengthening bilateral ties, enhancing trade relations, and addressing border issues. Alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia are also attending the summit.

The Claim: Photo shows drones forming PM Modi's face in the sky welcoming him to China

The viral photo was posted on X by the handle @MrSinha_ with the caption, "Unbelievable times we are living in..". The photo shows several drones in the night sky forming PM Modi's face with the message, "Modi Welcome to China"

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What We Found:

1) Original Photo

BOOM ran a reverse image search using Google Lens, which search results showed that the original photo was published by China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency on April 20. The photo pre-dates the SCO summit and does not feature PM Modi's face or any message welcoming him.

The photo was taken during a drone light show in Nan’an District, Chongqing Municipality in China on April 19. This can be seen below:

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2) Modi's China Visit

On August 30, 2025, PM Modi arrived in Tianjin, China, where he was welcomed with a dance performance at the airport.