The Indian government has blocked the X (formerly Twitter) account of Turkish state broadcaster TRT World, citing concerns over the spread of misinformation amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The account now displays a message reading, “Account withheld in India in response to a legal demand.” This development comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory military action launched by India on May 7 targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan and PoK following the deadly April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. The move also coincides with a growing anti-Turkey sentiment in India, seen through a consumer boycott of Turkish goods and a notable dip in tourism to Turkey.

As part of a wider crackdown, India has also restricted access to the X accounts of major Chinese state-run media outlets—Global Times and Xinhua News Agency—accusing them of spreading pro-Pakistan narratives. These bans are aligned with India’s intensified effort to curb misinformation on social media platforms. On May 8, the Indian government reportedly ordered X to block over 8,000 accounts within the country. These accounts included those of international news agencies and influential users, which X stated could result in severe penalties, including fines and jail time for its local staff, if not acted upon.

In a statement, X acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating that although the directive was difficult, compliance was necessary to ensure the platform remains operational in India. The company emphasized that maintaining access is crucial for Indian citizens to stay informed. These measures reflect New Delhi’s growing reliance on digital censorship as a tool of national security amid ongoing geopolitical friction with both Pakistan and its allies.