Indian Citizen from Arunachal Pradesh Detained in Shanghai, India Lodges Diplomatic Protest

New Delhi/Shanghai: India lodged a strong protest with China after a woman from Arunachal Pradesh was detained at Shanghai airport on November 21, authorities said. The woman, who resides in the United Kingdom, was reportedly held for over 18 hours because Chinese immigration officials claimed her Indian passport was invalid due to her birthplace being Arunachal Pradesh—a territory China disputes.

“I was held at Shanghai airport for over 18 hrs… They called my Indian passport invalid as my birthplace is Arunachal Pradesh which they claimed is Chinese territory,”
Prema Wangjom Thongdok said on X, sharing her ordeal.

Details of the Incident

Thongdok, on her way to Japan for a vacation, had a valid Japanese visa and a three-hour layover in Shanghai. Despite this, China Eastern Airlines and immigration authorities reportedly refused her onward boarding.

During her detention, officials allegedly mocked her and suggested she apply for a Chinese passport, asserting that “Arunachal is not part of India.” She described the experience as humiliating and unjust.

“I called up the Shanghai and Beijing Indian embassies and within an hour, Indian officials came to the airport, got me some food, and helped me get out of the country,” she told ANI.

Thongdok said she had transited through Shanghai a year ago without any problems, highlighting the sudden and arbitrary nature of the detention.

India’s Response       

India’s Ministry of External Affairs immediately issued a strong demarche with China, both in Beijing and New Delhi, condemning the incident. The Indian consulate in Shanghai also intervened, providing assistance and support to the stranded citizen.

Officials stressed that:

• Arunachal Pradesh is indisputably Indian territory
• Residents have the right to travel freely with Indian passports
• China’s actions contravene the Chicago and Montreal Conventions on civil aviation

Diplomatic sources noted that such actions complicate ongoing efforts to normalize bilateral ties between India and China.

Background and Context

In recent years, China has undertaken steps such as renaming towns and geographic features in Arunachal Pradesh, reflecting its persistent claims over the region. The Shanghai detention incident adds to longstanding tensions along the India-China border and in diplomatic channels.

“These actions are unnecessary and provocative,” sources said.

India continues to firmly uphold the sovereignty of Arunachal Pradesh and has reiterated that Chinese claims have no legal or factual basis.

Public Reaction

The incident sparked discussion on social media, with netizens criticizing the humiliation and delay faced by the Indian citizen. Many called for strong diplomatic action to prevent such occurrences in the future.