In a significant development, Elon Musk-owned platform X (formerly Twitter) has withheld its official Global Affairs account in India following a legal directive from the Indian government.
The account now displays the message: “@GlobalAffairs has been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand.”
This move comes just a day after X revealed that the Indian government had issued executive orders to block access to over 8,000 accounts within the country. These reportedly include handles linked to international media outlets and prominent users, in the wake of intensifying India–Pakistan military tensions.
The social media company acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but emphasized that compliance was necessary to keep the platform operational in India. “Keeping the platform accessible in India is vital to Indians’ ability to access information,” said the company in its public statement.
X also raised transparency concerns, stating it is legally barred from publishing the government’s blocking orders. “Lack of disclosure discourages accountability and can contribute to arbitrary decision-making,” the company warned.
This digital clampdown follows India’s launch of Operation Sindoor earlier this week and Pakistan’s failed drone and missile assaults on multiple Indian cities. With national security at stake, authorities are tightening control over online platforms to curb misinformation and operational leaks.
