The issue erupted after Pema Wang Thongdok, a woman from Arunachal Pradesh, said she was stopped by Chinese immigration authorities during a three-hour transit halt in Shanghai on 21 November. She alleged officials declared her Indian passport “invalid,” arguing that Arunachal Pradesh belongs to China, not India. Thongdok said she was kept for nearly 18 hours and questioned repeatedly while travelling from London to Japan.

Addressing the matter, Mao Ning claimed the Chinese border inspection authorities acted “strictly according to laws and regulations,” denying any mistreatment, detention, or discrimination. She added that the woman’s “legal rights were fully protected,” and that the airline provided her food and a place to rest.

On the territorial dispute, Mao reiterated, “Zangnan is China’s territory. China has never recognised the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ illegally established by India.”

India has repeatedly rejected China’s territorial claims, maintaining that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country.

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Jaiswal stated that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable part of India,” a fact that remains unchanged regardless of China’s repeated objections. He emphasized that no amount of denial from Beijing can alter this established reality. India has taken up the issue with China “strongly and firmly,” demanding an explanation for the arbitrary detention, which violates multiple international aviation conventions.

The MEA also pointed out that China’s action contradicts its own rules allowing 24-hour visa-free transit for passengers of all nationalities. The incident occurred because China continues to claim Arunachal Pradesh as its territory, leading officials to term the passport “invalid.”

India’s sharp reaction underscores rising tensions over repeated Chinese attempts to question India’s sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh.

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Indian officials in Beijing and Delhi issued a strong demarche the same day, reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh is “indisputably Indian territory” and its residents are fully entitled to hold Indian passports. India’s Consulate in Shanghai intervened immediately, assisted Prema with food and support, and secured her release after an 18-hour ordeal.

Prema, who works in London and was travelling from the UK to Japan, said she was shocked when officials suggested she “should obtain Chinese citizenship.” She later urged the Indian government to take strict diplomatic action.

Indian authorities told China that detaining an Indian citizen from Arunachal on such grounds was “ludicrous” and violated international civil aviation rules under the Chicago and Montreal Conventions. The incident has once again highlighted China’s repeated attempts to challenge India’s sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh.

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