Centre denies role in Reuters' X suspension, says it’s working with platform to resolve issue

According to an NDTV report, a government spokesperson said it did not ask for the account to be withheld and was working continuously to resolve the problem.

On Saturday, Reuters’ X handle became inaccessible to X users in India, as a notice was displayed the platform showing that the action was taken "in response to a legal demand."

“There is no requirement from the Government of India to withhold Reuters, and we are continuously working with X to resolve the problem," the spokesperson was quoted as saying by NDTV.

According to X, accounts or specific posts are suspended in events of legal demands like a court order or local laws.

The suspension could be the result of a late implementation of an earlier order and the account is likely to be restored soon, the report said.

The government had ordered the suspension of hundreds of X accounts, including that of Reuters, during 'Operation Sindoor'.

Reuters' handle remained active at that time while others went black following the order.

News agency PTI reported, quoting an official source, that the government issued the order on May 7, and it appears to have been acted upon now. The suspension of Reuters’ X handle in the current situation is apparently a "mistake on their part".

The government has asked X to lift the censorship as it is no longer relevant and explain its action, said the report.

The main and the world handles of the UK based news agency is currently withheld in India while Reuters Tech News, Reuters Fact Check, and Reuters Asia, are accessible.

Reuters is the media arm of Thomson Reuters, a global news provider that employs over 2,600 journalists across more than 200 locations worldwide.

Its X account, followed by millions globally, typically shares breaking news and updates on politics, business, and global affairs.