Chinese media, which is familiar with journalists being thrown out of Beijing, has accused India of "having a suspicious mind" and has threatened it with "serious consequences", for expelling three of its journalists.

India has expelled the Chinese journalists because it believed that they were impersonating people to gain access to sensitive and restricted areas and were therefore a security threat.

The state-run Global Times pooh-poohed these reports and said that New Delhi's real reason was to take "revenge due to the Nuclear Suppliers Group membership issue". “If India is taking revenge due to the NSG membership issue, there will be serious consequences,” the editorial in the Global Times said.

“There were reports that India expelled the journalists because it believed they were mocking people to gain access to restricted areas and hence were a security threat in Delhi and Mumbai. Also, there were reports of meeting Dalai Lama,” stated the editorial.

"On the visa issue this time, we should take actions to display our reaction. We at least should make a few Indians feel Chinese visas are also not easy to get," Global Times wrote.

"Crowned by Western public opinion as the world's biggest democracy, the Indians have a strong sense of pride," Global Times wrote. “The act has sent a negative message to China and communication between the two countries will be affected,” stated the editorial.

The journalists were impersonating people and meeting with Tibetan activists exiled from China, Global Times quoted one of its own former India-based journalists as saying there was "absolutely no need for" Chinese journalists to impersonate anyone.

"It is completely normal for reporters to request interviews with the Dalai Lama group," said Lu Pengfei, former India-based special correspondent with the Global Times, according to the article.

"No matter whether Chinese reporters apply for a long-term or a temporary journalist visa, they will come across many troubles. Complaints about difficulties of acquiring an Indian visa have also been heard from other Chinese who deal with India. In contrast, it's much easier for Indians to get a Chinese visa," it added.

By Premji