Guwahati, Nov 26: India has issued a strong diplomatic rebuke to China after an Arunachal Pradesh woman alleged she was harassed and held for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong Airport despite travelling on a valid Indian passport.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), responding sharply to remarks made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry earlier in the day, said the detention was “arbitrary” and reminded Beijing that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said China had violated international air travel conventions as well as its own 24-hour visa-free transit rules.
“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,” Jaiswal said.
“Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India… No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality,” he added, noting that Beijing had not been able to explain its actions.
CM Khandu Condemns “Racial Mockery, Humiliation”
Earlier, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had strongly criticised Chinese immigration authorities over the treatment of Pema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen, who said officials refused to recognise her Indian passport and subjected her to “racial mockery.”
“I am deeply shocked by the unacceptable treatment of Ms Prema Wangjom Thongdok… Such conduct violates international norms and is an affront to the dignity of our citizens,” Khandu said on X, adding that any attempt to question Arunachal Pradesh’s status was “baseless and offensive.”
The incident has triggered widespread outrage in Arunachal Pradesh, where residents routinely face complications due to China’s repeated territorial claims.
China Denies Wrongdoing, Repeats Claim on Arunachal
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning dismissed the allegations, reiterating that China “has never recognised” Arunachal Pradesh.
She said border authorities had acted strictly “in accordance with laws and regulations” and insisted that the woman’s “lawful rights and interests were fully protected.”
Mao denied any harassment or detention, saying “no compulsory measures were taken,” and claimed the airline provided the traveller with rest facilities and meals.
With both sides hardening positions, the incident has once again brought India-China tensions over Arunachal Pradesh into sharp focus.
Also Read: NEHU students stable, Meghalaya Govt offers out-state care
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
