X’s Global Affairs Account Withheld in India Amid Government Order to Block 8,000 Accounts

India has withheld X's Global Affairs account following the platform’s disclosure that the government ordered it to block over 8,000 accounts. X confirmed compliance under legal pressure but raised transparency concerns. The move follows rising India-Pakistan tensions after Operation Sindoor and repeated drone threats across Indian border cities.

The Indian government has withheld the Global Affairs account of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, just a day after the platform revealed that India had requested the blocking of over 8,000 accounts. The withheld account now displays a message stating it has been restricted in India in response to a legal demand.

This development follows mounting tensions between India and Pakistan, triggered by India’s military operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor. X’s statement on Thursday acknowledged receiving executive orders from the Indian government requiring it to block thousands of accounts, including those belonging to international media outlets and prominent users. The company said non-compliance could lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment of its Indian staff and heavy fines.

Despite expressing concern over the nature of these demands, X said it would comply to ensure continued access to the platform for Indian users. “Keeping the platform accessible in India is vital to Indians’ ability to access information,” X noted, while also criticizing the lack of transparency surrounding the executive orders.

The platform emphasized the importance of public disclosure, stating that the absence of transparency could lead to arbitrary and unaccountable decisions. This action comes at a time when India’s national security is under heightened alert, with Pakistani drones reported over multiple Indian cities the night before. All such incursions were successfully neutralized by Indian forces.

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As the digital and military standoff deepens, concerns are rising over online censorship, government overreach, and the balance between national security and freedom of expression in a conflict-ridden context.