After spying concerns by intel agencies three Chinese journalists of Xinhua news agency are asked to leave India by 31st July.

The government official declined to disclose reasons for refusal to renew the visas, but said Xinhua could send their replacements.

The official said the three journalists had received several visa extensions and one of them has been in India for the past seven years. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to reporters. Delhi-based Bureau Chief Wu Qiang and two reporters in Mumbai Tang Lu and Ma Qiang are the reporters from Xinhua news agency who were watched by security agency for several months. According to sources their activity was beyond their official work.

This decision is likely to strain the already tense ties between the two countries.