India on Tuesday lodged a strong protest with China after an Arunachal Pradesh–born Indian woman was detained for 18 hours at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport, saying the incident violated international conventions on air travel and China’s own transit rules.
In a sharply worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reaffirmed that “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India” and said Beijing’s stance “cannot alter this indisputable reality.”
The MEA added that Chinese authorities had “not been able to explain their actions”, which it said ran contrary to global travel norms and China’s regulations permitting 24-hour visa-free transit for all nationalities.
China reiterates territorial claim
China rejected the allegations made by Pema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian-origin UK resident, who said she was mistreated and held for hours after officials questioned the validity of her Indian passport due to her Arunachal Pradesh birthplace.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning repeated Beijing’s long-standing position that “Zangnan is Chinese territory”, saying China “does not recognise the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally created by India.”
China insisted border inspection staff acted according to law, stating her “rights and interests were fully protected” and that no coercive measures were used. Queries were redirected to relevant local authorities.
Officials confirmed that India issued a formal diplomatic demarche in both capitals, asserting that residents of Arunachal Pradesh are Indian citizens with full rights to hold Indian passports and travel internationally.
The Indian Consulate in Shanghai intervened after being alerted, engaging with local authorities and assisting Thongdok in securing a later outbound flight.
Indian traveller alleges 18-hour detention
Thongdok said on social media that she was held for more than 18 hours after immigration officers claimed her passport was invalid. She said she was released only after contacting the Indian mission with help from a friend in the UK.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu condemned the incident, calling it a breach of international norms and “an insult to Indian citizens.”
