India condemned China’s actions at Shanghai’s Pudong Airport after an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh was allegedly stopped and questioned for hours, prompting a sharp response from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The government reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable part of India” and demanded a clear explanation from Beijing.
According to reports, the Indian citizen Prema Wangjom Thongdok – who was travelling from London to Japan with a transit stop in Shanghai – was detained for prolonged questioning after Chinese authorities reportedly challenged the validity of her passport because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her place of birth.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi had “strongly taken up the matter” with Chinese authorities in both Beijing and New Delhi. He stated that China’s actions were inconsistent with international aviation norms and violated its own 24-hour visa-free transit policy.
China, however, rejected the allegations of harassment, claiming that its immigration officials acted “in accordance with law” and provided all necessary assistance to the traveller. Beijing also reiterated its long-standing territorial claim over Arunachal Pradesh, referring to the region as “Zangnan.”
India dismissed China’s position, calling it a “baseless assertion” that cannot alter historical and legal realities. “Arunachal Pradesh always was and will remain an integral part of India,” the MEA said.
The incident has added to ongoing tensions between the two countries, particularly over China’s repeated attempts to rename or claim territories within Arunachal Pradesh – actions India has consistently protested.
New Delhi said it expects a “satisfactory and timely” response from China regarding the treatment of the Indian national and the procedural violations reported at the airport.
