India to face serious consequences for expelling journalists: Chinese media

Beijing: Chinese state media lashed out at India on Sunday after India expelled three Chinese journalists for visiting a restricted Tibetan settlement in Mumbai using fake names.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, Global Times, which is linked to the Communist Party of China mouthpiece People’s Daily, was the first state media outlet to react to the report of the expulsion of the three Xinhua reporters --- Wu Qiang, Tang Lu and She Yonggang. India expelled the three journalists after denying their request to extend visas.

Chinese media believes that India’s actions are directly linked to China’s successful efforts in stopping India’s bid to enter the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Global Times said that China should follow a tit-for-tat policy with Indian journalists.

“If New Delhi is really taking revenge due to the NSG membership issue, there will be serious consequences,” it said.

Global Times also blamed ‘nationalism’ for the expulsion of the journalists. “Indian society in recent years has witnessed soaring nationalism. Crowned by Western public opinion as the world’s biggest democracy, the Indians have a strong sense of pride.”

The state-run newspaper went on to claim that Chinese journalists have always faced trouble in India.

The Chinese government has maintained silence on the issue, with the ministry of foreign affairs yet to comment on the rare expulsion. But top Chinese experts on Sino-India relations said the decision to send off the journalists ‘without clear and substantiated reasons’ will impact bilateral ties.

Significantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit China in September for the G20 summit and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping is scheduled to be in Goa in October for the BRICS meeting.