Following reports of World Bank Group President Ajay Banga’s recent visit to Pakistan, an image has been circulating on social media showing him holding a Khalistan flag, with claims that he supports the Khalistan movement.
A user on X with a username, @FTWHarjee, shared this image with a caption, “IMF President sending signals to INDIA”.
Fact-Check
Upon investigation, we found the claim to be fake. A reverse image search traced the original photograph to Reuters, which shows Ajay Banga arriving for his first day at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, U.S., on June 2, 2023 (Photo: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst). The original image shows him holding a coffee cup, not a flag.
Further analysis using FotoForensics revealed clear signs of digital manipulation, including the addition of the Khalistan flag and the removal of the coffee cup from his hand.
Conclusion
The viral image and accompanying claim are fake. The photograph has been digitally altered, and there is no statement or evidence to suggest that Ajay Banga supports Khalistan.
