Meta India found itself in the midst of a political and public relations storm on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, after its CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s comments about the Indian government during a podcast sparked backlash. Zuckerberg’s assertion that the incumbent Indian government had lost power in the 2024 elections was swiftly called out as erroneous, prompting Meta India to issue an official apology.

Meta India’s Public Apology

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Meta India’s Vice President Shivnath Thukral addressed the issue directly. “Dear Honourable Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw, Mark’s observation that many incumbent parties were not re-elected in 2024 elections holds true for several countries, BUT not India,” he wrote. “We would like to apologise for this inadvertent error. India remains an incredibly important country for @Meta, and we look forward to being at the heart of its innovative future.”

The statement highlighted Meta’s commitment to maintaining its relationship with India, which is not only one of the world’s largest democracies but also a critical market for the tech giant.

The Controversial Podcast Remarks

The controversy began when Mark Zuckerberg, during a conversation on the Joe Rogan podcast, suggested that many incumbent governments around the world, including India’s, had lost power in the 2024 elections post-COVID. These remarks were quickly flagged as factually incorrect, given that India’s ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, secured a decisive victory in the elections.

Union Minister’s Response

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, wasted no time in countering Zuckerberg’s claims. On January 13, he took to X to clarify the facts. “Mr. Zuckerberg’s claim that most incumbent governments, including India in 2024 elections, lost post-COVID is factually incorrect,” Vaishnaw wrote.

He added that the 2024 elections were a testament to India’s robust democratic process. “As the world’s largest democracy, India conducted the 2024 elections with over 640 million voters. People of India reaffirmed their trust in NDA led by PM @narendramodi Ji’s leadership,” he stated.

The Minister also emphasized the achievements of PM Modi’s government, including providing free food to 800 million people, administering 2.2 billion free vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, and steering India’s growth as the fastest-growing major economy. He criticized Zuckerberg’s remarks as misinformation and stressed the need for Meta to uphold factual accuracy and credibility.

The issue escalated further when BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, chair of the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, announced that the committee would summon Meta over Zuckerberg’s remarks. Dubey, known for his firm stance on tech companies’ responsibilities, stated, “Incorrect information about any democratic country tarnishes its image. This organisation will have to apologise to the Indian Parliament and the people here for this mistake.”

This development signals increased scrutiny of global tech giants’ activities in India, particularly their role in disseminating information and their accountability to democratic institutions.

The controversy sheds light on the growing tension between tech companies and governments worldwide. India, with its vast and influential user base, is often at the center of such debates. The incident underscores the importance of cultural and political sensitivity in communication, especially for global leaders like Mark Zuckerberg.

For Meta, this episode serves as a reminder of the delicate balance it must maintain while navigating the complex socio-political landscapes of the countries in which it operates. As the platform continues to expand its footprint in India, ensuring factual integrity and respectful engagement will be paramount.

The apology from Meta India reflects the company’s recognition of the gravity of its CEO’s remarks and its commitment to mending ties with the Indian government. However, the incident has raised significant questions about the accountability of global tech giants and their role in shaping public narratives. As the story unfolds, it remains to be seen how Meta addresses these challenges and reaffirms its commitment to factual accuracy and constructive engagement in India and beyond.