Amid escalating tensions and a crackdown on disinformation, the Indian government has blocked the X (formerly Twitter) account of Global Times, a Chinese state-run media outlet known for its nationalistic and often critical stance on international affairs. This action comes just days after a similar measure was taken against several Pakistani handles, signaling a firm stance against what the government deems as the spread of misinformation and content detrimental to national security.
The blocking of Global Times' X account, confirmed on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, is attributed to the outlet's publication of "disinformation" concerning "Operation Sindoor," a counter-terrorist operation conducted by the Indian army targeting cross-border terrorist infrastructure. The government believes that the outlet was disseminating false narratives and unverified news related to military tensions between India and Pakistan.
This move is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Indian government to regulate content on social media platforms. In the wake of "Operation Sindoor" social media platforms were flooded with misinformation. The government has invoked its legal powers to block accounts and content it deems harmful or misleading. X stated that it received executive orders from the Indian government requiring the company to block over 8,000 accounts in India, including those belonging to “international news organisations and prominent X users”. X also stated that failure to comply with executive orders could result in significant fines and imprisonment of the company's local employees.
Prior to the action against Global Times, numerous Pakistani accounts, including those of prominent political figures like former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex-minister Bilawal Bhutto, were blocked in India. These restrictions were often implemented in response to legal demands, with the accounts displaying messages indicating they were withheld in India due to compliance with such requests. Furthermore, the government has also blocked the official X account of the Government of Pakistan.
The recent surge in account suspensions and content regulation follows heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly after the Pahalgam terror attack last month, which resulted in multiple casualties. In response to the attack, India has taken several punitive measures, including blocking Pakistani YouTube channels and downgrading diplomatic ties. Sixteen Pakistani YouTube channels were banned for spreading provocative and communally sensitive content, along with false and misleading narratives targeting India, its Army, and security agencies.
The Indian government's actions have sparked debate regarding freedom of speech and censorship. X has expressed disagreement with the Indian government's demands, stating that blocking entire accounts is unnecessary and amounts to censorship, contradicting the fundamental right to free speech. The company also revealed that for a significant number of accounts, they did not receive any evidence or justification for the blocking orders.
These actions also occur amid existing strains in India-China relations, particularly concerning border disputes and regional influence. India has strongly rejected China's attempts to rename locations in Arunachal Pradesh, further fueling diplomatic tensions. The blocking of Global Times' X account adds another layer of complexity to the bilateral relationship.
