The Ministry of External Affairs released a statement through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressing the comments made by China’s foreign ministry about the treatment of an Indian traveller from Arunachal Pradesh. The MEA highlighted that the passenger, who held a valid Indian passport, was merely transiting through Shanghai International Airport on her way to Japan when she was subjected to an unjustified ordeal.
The traveller, Pema Wangjom Thongdok, is an Indian citizen based in the United Kingdom. She had taken a flight from London to Japan on November 21 and was scheduled to spend three hours in transit at Shanghai. According to her account, the situation quickly became distressing when immigration officials questioned her passport, claiming it was “invalid” because her birthplace was listed as Arunachal Pradesh.
Responding to her allegations, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning insisted that the passenger was not forced into any coercive situation and denied that she faced detention or harassment. Mao said that the border authorities acted strictly in line with Chinese regulations and that her rights were “fully protected.”
The MEA strongly rejected this version, reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh is an unquestionable and permanent part of India. It emphasized that no statements from Beijing can change this fundamental fact. The ministry also stated that the matter of Thongdok’s treatment has already been raised with China, noting that Chinese officials have yet to offer a satisfactory explanation for their conduct.
According to the MEA, the actions taken by Chinese authorities run counter to international air travel conventions, as well as China’s own rules that allow travellers from any country to transit visa free for up to twenty four hours. Indian officials issued a formal protest to Chinese authorities in both Beijing and New Delhi on the day the incident occurred. The Indian consulate in Shanghai also intervened to support the stranded passenger, who was reportedly held for reasons described by officials as completely baseless, since residents of Arunachal Pradesh are full Indian citizens with the same passport rights as any other citizen.
Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu voiced his own criticism on Tuesday, expressing shock and outrage over the manner in which Thongdok was treated. He said the humiliating and racially charged behaviour she faced from Chinese immigration officials was unacceptable. Khandu reaffirmed that Arunachal Pradesh has always been, and will always remain, an integral part of India, and described any claims suggesting otherwise as unfounded and insulting.
