Social media speculation about the health of several BRICS leaders has intensified following the group's summit in India, fueled by the South African presidency confirming that President Cyril Ramaphosa has temporarily withdrawn from public engagements because of ill health.

Ramaphosa, 73, returned to South Africa from the BRICS summit on Monday and was advised by his medical team to rest and recover. His office announced Thursday that ministers would represent him at scheduled engagements where possible. The presidency did not disclose the nature or severity of his illness.

The announcement quickly became linked online to separate rumors involving Chinese President Xi Jinping. Posts circulating on social media have alleged that Xi became ill during the summit, with some claims saying he fainted or suffered a stroke and was taken to Beijing for medical treatment. Those claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no official confirmation from Chinese authorities that Xi suffered a medical emergency.

Speculation about Xi intensified after he did not attend a gala dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the summit. Reports at the time indicated that Xi returned to his hotel to rest, but Chinese officials did not publicly identify a medical problem as the reason for his absence.

India's Ministry of External Affairs moved to address the online rumors Thursday, labeling social media claims that multiple BRICS leaders had fallen ill as false and misleading. The ministry specifically warned against what it described as malicious posts circulating about the health of leaders who attended the summit.

The distinction between the two cases is significant. Ramaphosa's absence from public duties has been confirmed by his government, but the reason for his illness has not been disclosed. Claims about Xi suffering a stroke, fainting or requiring emergency treatment remain unverified, with no public confirmation from Beijing.

The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi on Sept. 12 and 13 and brought together leaders from the expanded BRICS grouping. The unusual timing of Ramaphosa's confirmed illness, combined with Xi's absence from the gala dinner and his return to China, has helped drive speculation online, even as officials have pushed back against claims of a broader health incident involving summit participants.