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China Questions Passport Validity of Arunachal-born Indian Traveler
A woman from Arunachal Pradesh has accused Chinese immigration officials of a deeply humiliating and politically charged ordeal at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport—sparking a fresh diplomatic row between India and China. The incident underscores the persistent friction over the contested border state in India’s northeast.
The Ordeal
The woman, identified as Pema Wangjom Thongdok, is an Indian citizen currently residing in the United Kingdom. According to her account, she was traveling from London to Japan on November 21, 2025, when a routine transit stop in Shanghai turned into a nightmare. Her flight was scheduled for a brief layover of a few hours. But upon arrival at Pudong Airport, she claims, immigration officers told her that her Indian passport was “invalid”, because her birthplace was listed as Arunachal Pradesh—which they alleged was “part of China.”
Thongdok’s public post on X (formerly Twitter) recounts how she was held in the transit zone for approximately 18 hours, denied access to proper amenities, basic food, and even clear information on her status. She says that immigration officials, and even staff of China Eastern Airlines, mocked her: “You should apply for a Chinese passport … you’re Chinese, you’re not Indian,” she was allegedly told.
During this time, her passport was confiscated, and despite holding a valid Japanese visa, she was prevented from boarding her onward flight to Japan. According to her, airline staff even pressured her to buy a fresh ticket on China Eastern, hinting that her passport would only be returned after she did so—causing her financial loss from missed connections and hotel bookings.
Eventually, she reached out to the Indian Consulate in Shanghai, and Indian officials intervened, helping her depart late that night. She has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and senior Indian diplomatic officials, calling the episode a “direct insult to India’s sovereignty.”
India’s Response
India has not taken the matter lightly. On the same day as Thongdok’s detention, the Ministry of External Affairs reportedly issued a strong diplomatic demarche to China—both via its embassy in Beijing and its mission in Delhi. The Indian Consulate in Shanghai also provided all possible assistance to her while she was stranded.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has strongly condemned China’s actions. In a post on X, he expressed that he was “deeply shocked” by the ordeal and described the treatment of Thongdok as “humiliation and racial mockery.” He reaffirmed that “Arunachal Pradesh is and will always be an integral part of India. Any insinuation otherwise is baseless and offensive.” Khandu also called the detention “unacceptable,” warning that such incidents violate “international norms” and undermine the dignity of Indian citizens.
Thongdok’s Perspective
In her own words, Thongdok describes the experience as distressing and demeaning. She alleges that immigration officers singled her out after seeing her place of birth, shouted out her name in Chinese, and pointedly said her passport was “not valid.” She also says she was confined to a transit zone with limited access to food or mobility, and was disallowed from rebooking or even consuming basic services.
She claims that the Indian mission’s intervention was the only way she could eventually leave Shanghai, and that she only got her passport back after agreeing to a new ticket. In her letter to Indian leaders, she emphasized that the incident was not just personal harassment but a “direct insult to India’s sovereignty” and called for accountability and compensation.
China’s Response
On its part, China has strongly pushed back against the allegations. At a press briefing in Beijing, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson (Mao Ning) denied that Thongdok was mistreated or detained in violation of laws. Instead, Beijing insists that “authorities acted strictly in accordance with laws and regulations.”
Furthermore, China reiterated its long-standing territorial claim over Arunachal Pradesh, calling it “Zangnan” (South Tibet) and dismissing New Delhi’s objections. According to Chinese officials, the state was “never acknowledged” by China as part of India.
Broader Implications
This incident, though focused on an individual, carries broader geopolitical and diplomatic implications. Arunachal Pradesh has long been a flashpoint between India and China: Beijing claims it as its territory, while New Delhi strongly rejects the claim.
For India, this event is not just about an isolated case of airport harassment. The government’s quick and strong diplomatic reaction signals that any perceived undermining of its sovereignty — especially on disputed territory — will be met firmly. It reinforces India’s message that its citizenship and territory cannot be challenged lightly, even in transit zones far from the border.
For China, the incident allows Beijing to reassert its territorial claims in a diplomatic context, using the narrative of immigration control. However, its denial of wrongdoing reflects its discomfort with being drawn into a high-profile international controversy, particularly as both nations are attempting to improve broader bilateral ties.
Conclusion
The case of Pema Wangjom Thongdok’s detention in Shanghai is more than a personal ordeal. It reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and contested national narratives between India and China. By lodging a strong demarche, India has underscored that Arunachal Pradesh remains a non-negotiable part of its territory — and that any attempt to delegitimise that via immigration or bureaucratic means will draw a political response. How China responds in detail (beyond denials) could influence the tone of future diplomatic engagements over disputed regions.
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