Grok AI misfires on Modi’s Maldives post: What PM actually said on Republic Day and what went wrong

(FILES) India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu virtually inaugurate the new runway at Maldives' Hanimadhoo International Airport, during a joint media briefing at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on October 7, 2024.

X’s AI assistant Grok mistranslated PM Modi’s Republic Day message to Maldives’ President Muizzu, falsely referencing anti-India campaigns and Independence Day, sparking online backlash. Grok later corrected the error amid sensitive India-Maldives relations.

Did our AI summary help?

X’s artificial intelligence assistant Grok has come under scrutiny after a faulty translation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Republic Day message to Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu triggered confusion and political backlash online.

What should have been a routine diplomatic exchange between two leaders briefly turned into a controversy, highlighting concerns over the reliability of AI-generated translations and their potential impact on sensitive foreign relations.

What triggered the controversy

On January 26, President Muizzu posted a message on X extending Republic Day greetings to India.

“Warmest greetings and best wishes to President Smt Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister HE Shri Narendra Modi, the government and the friendly people of India as they celebrate their 77th Republic Day.”

He added, “This day strongly signifies the commitment of the people of India to uphold the principles of freedom, democracy and good governance. The Maldives wishes to continue our work together to strengthen our excellent ties that have immensely benefited the welfare of the people of both countries.”

ޝުކުރިއްޔާ، ރައީސް މުޢިއްޒު. އިންޑިއާގެ 77 ވަނަ ޖުމްޙޫރީ ދުވަހުގެ މުނާސަބަތުގައި އަރިސަކުރެއްވި ހޫނު ތަޙުނިޔާއާއި ހެޔޮއެދުން އިޙްތިރާމާއިއެކު ބަލައިގަންނަން.

ދެ ޤައުމުގެ ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަންފާއަށްޓަކައި އެކުގައި މިކުރާ މަސައްކަތް ކުރިއަށްގެންދާނަން. އެންމެހާ ދިވެހި ރައްޔިތުންނަށް… https://t.co/Tzd0LhBHb6 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 27, 2026

Prime Minister Modi responded with a courteous and forward-looking message. “Thank you, President Muizzu. With respect, I accept the warm congratulations and good wishes extended on the occasion of India’s 77th Republic Day. We will continue to work together for the benefit of the people of both countries. I hope that the days ahead will be prosperous and happy for all Maldivian citizens.”

What Grok got wrong

When users clicked on the translation option under Modi’s post, Grok generated a version that was dramatically different in both tone and meaning.

“Sukuriyya, Raayithun Majlis. India’s 77th Independence Day celebrations were held in the Maldives, and the Maldivian government participated in the event. This Sukuriya government has also been involved in the anti-India campaigns of the people. Even in the two anti-India campaigns, they have been at the forefront of the protests.”

The translation not only altered the content but also incorrectly referred to India’s Republic Day as Independence Day. It also introduced claims about anti-India campaigns that were never mentioned by the prime minister.

Screenshots of the mistranslation quickly spread on social media, raising concerns about misinformation at a sensitive diplomatic moment.

One user, War & Grok’s, shared the translation with the caption, “Modiji.”

Another user, Shubhangi Sharma, questioned the accuracy of the AI tool, saying, “What X’s translation said versus what was really said by Prime Minister Modi to the Maldivian President. Why so horribly unreliable?”

What X's translation said vs what was really said by Prime Minister Modi to the Maldivian President. Why so horribly unreliable? https://t.co/xA7ZYOWHl5pic.twitter.com/UHcT21uY7h — Shubhangi Sharma (@ItsShubhangi) January 27, 2026

Grok later updates the translation

After users flagged the error, Grok updated the translation of the post. The revised version read:

“Thank you, President Muizzu. On the occasion of India’s 77th Republic Day, I gratefully accept the warm congratulations and best wishes that you have extended, with respect and esteem. We will continue to advance the work we are doing together for the benefit of the citizens of both nations.”

Modi added, “I wish all Maldivian citizens a future filled with happy and prosperous days ahead.”

The update corrected the earlier inaccuracies and brought the translation closer to the prime minister’s original message.

India-Maldives ties at a delicate moment

The mistranslation occurred at a time when India and the Maldives have been working to stabilise relations after a turbulent phase.

Ties between the two countries worsened in late 2023 and early 2024 after President Muizzu came to power on the back of an “India Out” campaign that criticised India’s military presence in the Maldives.

Relations further deteriorated in January 2024 after Maldivian ministers posted derogatory comments about Prime Minister Modi following his visit to Lakshadweep. The Muizzu government later suspended the minister involved and said the remarks reflected personal views, not official policy.

A reset began in July last year when Modi visited Male at Muizzu’s invitation to attend the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations. The visit included discussions on climate change, renewable energy and trade, and was seen as a turning point in ending the “India Out” phase.