New Delhi: The security agencies have sent back three journalists representing state-run Xinhua news agency  for “activities beyond their official work”.

Three journalists – Delhi-based Bureau Chief Wu Qiang and two reporters in Mumbai Tang Lu and Ma Qiang – were being watched by security agencies for several months and now have been denied permission to stay on in India. Their visas had expired in January and since then they were being extended regularly. They will have to return by July 31.

Sources say China is free to send other journalists to India in their place and insist the decision is not linked to China’s opposition to India joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group or NSG. The decision is likely to strain the already tense ties between the two countries.