India Blocks Chinese and Turkish State Media Accounts Over Amid Kashmir Conflict Coverage and Border Dispute

Report by Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

India has blocked access to the X (formerly Twitter) accounts of Chinese state outlets Xinhua News Agency and Global Times, along with Turkey’s TRT World, accusing them of amplifying disinformation during the recent Kashmir conflict and pushing pro-Pakistan narratives.

The bans come amid heightened tensions between India and its regional rivals, particularly following a series of military confrontations with Pakistan and a renewed border dispute with China. Indian authorities claim the affected media accounts were involved in circulating false information that could incite unrest and mislead the public during a sensitive period.

The move follows reports from Global Times alleging that a Pakistani air defense system had downed an Indian fighter jet—claims vehemently denied by New Delhi and described as “baseless propaganda” by the Indian Embassy in Beijing. The report quickly sparked backlash, with Indian officials accusing the Chinese publication of undermining regional stability.

Although the Global Times account was temporarily restored on Thursday following what sources describe as a legal challenge, India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has yet to provide an official explanation or confirm if the blocks are part of a broader digital media crackdown.

In recent days, India has taken down thousands of social media accounts, including some belonging to journalists and international news outlets. Press freedom advocates have expressed concern over the scope and impact of these restrictions, warning that the blanket bans could hinder access to information and set a troubling precedent.

Tensions with China have further escalated after Beijing released a list of new “standardized” names for locations in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh—territory that China claims as “Zangnan.”

China responded by asserting its territorial rights, with foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stating the naming exercise was a legitimate expression of national sovereignty.