The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has asked China to provide firm assurances that Indian citizens travelling through Chinese airports will not face targeted scrutiny or arbitrary detention, following an incident involving an Arunachal Pradesh resident who was held for 18 hours in Shanghai last month.
The government has also advised Indians travelling to or transiting through China to “exercise due discretion.”
Addressing reporters at the weekly briefing on Monday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India expects China to respect international norms governing air travel.
India Raises Concerns After Arunachal Woman Detained
The comments come in response to questions regarding the case of Pema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh. Thongdok, who was travelling from London to Japan on November 21, was detained at Shanghai Pudong International Airport after Chinese immigration officials declared her Indian passport “invalid,” claiming Arunachal Pradesh is part of China.
Describing the situation, Jaiswal said: “We fully share your concern following the recent incident at Shanghai airport that you have cited. We expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed, and that regulations governing international air travel will be respected by the Chinese side.”
He added that Indian nationals should be cautious while planning travel through China.
India Reiterates Arunachal Pradesh Is ‘Integral and Inalienable’
Thongdok later stated that she was “humiliated” and mocked about her nationality by officials. India responded sharply, reiterating its longstanding position on the status of Arunachal Pradesh.
Jaiswal recalled that India had immediately issued a strong demarche to Beijing and the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi. “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a fact which is self-evident; no amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality,” he said.
The MEA also expressed “grave concern” over what it termed the “arbitrary detention” of a valid passport holder in transit.
China Rejects Allegations
China, meanwhile, dismissed the claims of harassment. Chinese authorities said that the “lawful rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected” and that “no compulsory measures were taken on her.”
Matter Raised at High Levels
The MEA confirmed that the issue has been taken up with China at senior diplomatic levels in both countries. India continues to maintain that the treatment of the Indian national was unacceptable and expects Beijing to ensure such incidents are not repeated.
