It seems the relation between India and China is getting sour with each passing month. Relations between Beijing and New Delhi have been tense since a deadly brawl on the Himalayan frontier in 2020. The two nations are still feeling the effects of the deadly clash in Galwan valley in eastern Ladakh. In a latest sign which points towards the simmering tension between two countries, the last Indian journalist in China has been asked to leave, as Beijing and New Delhi eject each other’s reporters in a tit-for-tat row. Chinese authorities have instructed the Press Trust of India reporter to leave the country this month. His departure will wipe India’s media presence from the world’s second largest economy at a moment of deteriorating ties.
Indian media outlets had four reporters based in China earlier this year. The Hindustan Times reporter left over the weekend, while two journalists from public broadcaster Prasar Bharati and The Hindu newspaper were denied visa renewals in China in April.
Earlier, New Delhi rejected visa renewal applications from two journalists from Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television. This decision to expel journalists from their respective countries will only add to the increase in tension. The lack of media presence will lead to misreporting which has potential to damage the relationship. Also, two countries will use their respective media to raise jingoistic nationalist fervour by targeting each other. This will hurt the relationship between the two countries badly.