'Arunachal indisputably Indian territory': The Shanghai airport incident that sparked India-China diplomatic row | Explained

Indian authorities lodged a strong demarche with China after a woman from Arunachal Pradesh was detained and allegedly harassed by Chinese officials while transiting through Shanghai.

The incident involved Prema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian citizen originally from Arunachal Pradesh and currently living in the UK. She was travelling from the UK to Japan and was passing through Shanghai when Chinese immigration officials stopped her at Pudong Airport.

Sources told CNN-News18 that a formal protest was raised with Chinese authorities both in Beijing and in Delhi on the same day the incident occurred. Indian officials made it clear that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and that its residents have every right to hold Indian passports.

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“A strong demarche was made with the Chinese side, in Beijing and in Delhi, on the same day the incident took place. Our Consulate in Shanghai also took up the matter locally and extended fullest assistance to the stranded passenger," one of the sources said.

During her detention, Prema was reportedly told by Chinese officials that she should seek Chinese citizenship and that Arunachal Pradesh “is not a part of India." She also said she faced mocking behaviour and repeated questioning over her nationality and documents.

Speaking to news outlets, Prema described how Indian consular staff intervened to secure her release after she was held for nearly 18 hours.

“They got me some food and spoke through the issues with them and helped me get out of the country. A very long ordeal -- 18 hours -- but glad that I’m out of there…" she said.

According to sources quoted by CNN-News18, Indian authorities firmly conveyed to China that the detention was unjustified. They reiterated that “Arunachal Pradesh is indisputably Indian territory and its residents are perfectly entitled to hold and travel with Indian passports" and described the action against Prema as being based on “ludicrous grounds".

Officials also highlighted that the treatment meted out to Prema, who works as an IFPR reporting specialist at ACA London, created unnecessary hurdles for travellers and violated international aviation norms. The Chinese side was informed that their actions were “in contravention of the Chicago and Montreal Conventions relating to civil aviation".

The diplomatic intervention followed Prema’s public appeal to the Government of India to take up the matter formally with Beijing.

“This is not something a regular citizen can resolve. I would just like to request the government of India to take strict action against the Chinese authorities and the government on such matters," she had urged.

Indian officials later confirmed that she was released and allowed to continue her journey within hours of the intervention.