Arunachal is ‘integral, inalienable part of India’: New Delhi slams detention of Indian citizen in Shanghai

Reasserting India’s long-held position, Jaiswal said Arunachal Pradesh “is an integral and inalienable part of India,” adding that no amount of denial from China would alter this “indisputable reality.”

The spokesperson said India has taken up the matter with China “strongly,” noting that Chinese authorities have yet to offer a credible explanation for the detention. He emphasised that the move violates several global conventions on international air travel, as well as China’s own rule allowing up to 24 hours of visa-free transit for foreign nationals.

Earlier, China on Tuesday dismissed allegations of harassment made by Indian national Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that “the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected and no compulsory measures were taken on her.”

Thongdok, who was transiting through Shanghai Pudong Airport en route from London to Japan, had detailed a “long ordeal,” claiming that Chinese immigration officials mocked her Indian citizenship, questioned the validity of her passport, and insisted that Arunachal Pradesh is not part of India. Her detention lasted nearly 18 hours, ending only after officials from India’s consulates in Shanghai and Beijing intervened.

India issued a strong demarche to China—both in New Delhi and Beijing—over the treatment of the Indian citizen. New Delhi emphasised that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and described the grounds for her detention as “ludicrous.” It also noted that China’s actions were inconsistent with the Chicago and Montreal Conventions on civil aviation.

Responding to media queries in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated China’s long-held territorial claim, saying, “Zangnan is China’s territory. The Chinese side has never recognised the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ illegally set up by India.”

Regarding Thongdok’s case, Mao added: “China's border inspection authorities carried out checks procedures in accordance with laws and regulations, the law enforcement was impartial and non-abusive, the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected, no compulsory measures were taken on her, and there was no so-called ‘detaining’ or ‘harassing’.”

She further said: “The airline provided her with resting facilities and meals. For anything more specific, I'd refer you to competent authorities.”

Indian officials, however, rejected Beijing’s version. Sources confirmed a strong demarche was lodged “on the same day the incident took place,” and that the Consulate in Shanghai “extended fullest assistance to the stranded passenger.”

Thongdok also accused China Eastern Airlines staff of “humiliating, questionable behaviour.” She recounted that immigration officers declared her passport “invalid,” saying, “Arunachal is not part of India… you should apply for the Chinese passport, you’re Chinese, you’re not Indian.”

She said she had travelled through Shanghai previously without any issues. This time, however, airline and immigration staff “pointed out and said Arunachal and laughed and called it China, not India,” leaving her unable to contact her family for hours.

“Within an hour, the Indian officials came to the airport, got me some food and… helped me get out of the country,” she said, calling the 18-hour episode “a very long ordeal.”

The incident comes at a time when India–China ties have shown tentative signs of improvement. India has consistently rejected China’s claims over Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier this year, responding to Beijing’s renaming of locations in the state, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.”

*With Inputs from Agencies