A Chinese newspaper has threatened India with "serious consequences" after it refused to extend visas to three Chinese journalists as revenge for Beijing's opposition to India's entry into the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) last month.

The publication called the move a "petty act" and has called for measures to make it difficult for Indian citizens to obtain Chinese visas.

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Three Chinese journalists working for China's state-owned Xinhua News Agency were denied an extension on their Indian visas and asked to leave the country by July 31, as previously reported.

On Monday, China's Global Times criticized the move suggesting that India was getting even after Beijing blocked its entry into the NSG. "If New Delhi is really taking revenge due to the NSG membership issue, there will be serious consequences," the paper said.

"India has a suspicious mind. No matter whether Chinese reporters apply for a long-term or a temporary journalist visa, they will come across many troubles," the publication added, according to NDTV. "Complaints about difficulties of acquiring an Indian visa have also been heard from other Chinese who deal with India."

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has denied reports that the Chinese journalists were expelled from the country and pointed out that the reporters were issued several visa extensions before being rejected. The MEA also said that it would be happy to welcome replacements for the journalists from the news agency.

However, sources in Beijing aren't buying India's explanation, noting that only one out of the three journalists had previously been issued a visa extension.

Some reports suggest that the journalists were suspected of carrying out "activities beyond their official work" in India but Xinhua says that no reason was given to the journalists for the rejection of the visa.

The Global Times is now urging China to take action and retaliate with similar countermeasures. "We at least should make a few Indians feel Chinese visas are also not easy to get," the newspaper said.

Tagschina, India, journalists, visa, visa extension, NSG, Nuclear Suppliers Group