India responded to China’s remarks on the detention of a woman from Arunachal Pradesh in Shanghai, reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India — a fact that is self-evident.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen statements made by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, who was holding a valid passport and was transiting through Shanghai International Airport on her onward travel to Japan.”
He added, “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a self-evident fact. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality.”
In response to media queries regarding statements made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “We have seen statements made by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen from
How the Row Began
The diplomatic row intensified after Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh who lives in the UK, was travelling from London to Japan with a stopover in Shanghai. Chinese immigration officials allegedly pulled her out of the queue, declared her Indian passport invalid, and kept her at the airport for 18 hours.
“They said ‘Arunachal is not part of India’ and started mocking and laughing. They told me ‘you should apply for a Chinese passport; you’re Chinese, you’re not Indian,’” Thongdok said.
India’s Strong Protest
Jaiswal said Chinese authorities violated international air travel norms and even their own transit regulations that allow passengers to stay up to 24 hours without a visa.
India lodged formal complaints in both New Delhi and Beijing the same day. Officials from the Indian consulate in Shanghai reached the airport within an hour to assist Thongdok and provided her with food.
China Denies Harassment
China denied allegations that the woman was detained or harassed at the airport.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said border officials followed standard procedures, ensured the passenger’s rights were protected, and did not subject her to any coercive measures. She said the airline provided meals and rest facilities.
China Reasserts Territorial Claim
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also reiterated China’s long-standing claim over Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing refers to as “Zangnan,” insisting it is part of Chinese territory and that it does not recognise the Indian state, calling it illegally established.
