New Delhi: India has blocked the X (formerly Twitter) accounts of Chinese state-run media outlets, Global Times and Xinhua News Agency, over the publication of what the government described as disinformation related to Operation Sindoor—a counter-terrorism operation by the Indian Army targeting cross-border terrorist infrastructure.
The decision comes in the wake of a public warning issued by the Indian Embassy in Beijing earlier this week, which strongly criticised Global Times for its inaccurate coverage of the military operation. In a post on X, the Embassy cautioned the Chinese outlet, saying, “Dear @globaltimesnews, we would recommend you verify your facts and cross-examine your sources before pushing out this kind of disinformation.”
The Embassy further clarified that several social media accounts sympathetic to Pakistan were spreading unfounded claims about alleged Indian military losses. “Several pro-Pakistan handles are spreading baseless claims in the context of #OperationSindoor, attempting to mislead the public. When media outlets share such information without verifying sources, it reflects a serious lapse in responsibility and journalistic ethics,” the statement read.
Following legal action, the X account of Global Times now displays the message: “Account Withheld. @globaltimesnews has been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand.” The Xinhua account has also been similarly restricted within India.
Meanwhile, the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Unit has stepped up efforts to debunk misinformation amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions, identifying several visuals and posts as recycled, doctored, or completely fabricated content.
This development also coincides with India’s firm rejection of China’s renewed attempts to assert territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s stance on Wednesday, saying, “We reject such attempts categorically. Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.”
Earlier in 2024, China released a list renaming 30 locations within Arunachal Pradesh—a move that India condemned as yet another futile attempt to challenge its sovereignty.
