India Issues Strong Demarche to China After Arunachal Woman Harassed and Detained at Shanghai Airport
New Delhi, Nov 24 — India has issued a strong demarche to China after a woman from Arunachal Pradesh was stopped, harassed and denied transit by immigration officials at Shanghai airport on November 21. The incident has triggered diplomatic concern, with the Ministry of External Affairs stating that such actions introduce needless obstacles at a time when both countries are attempting to stabilise relations.
The passenger, identified as Prema Thongdok, was travelling from London to Japan and was scheduled to transit briefly in Shanghai. She was reportedly detained for nearly 18 hours, prevented from boarding her connecting flight and subjected to mocking behaviour by immigration officials, who questioned the validity of her Indian passport on the grounds that she was born in Arunachal Pradesh. She later said she faced intimidation, withholding of documents and degrading treatment during the ordeal.
Government sources confirmed that the Indian consulate in Shanghai intervened and assisted the stranded traveller, while formal diplomatic protests were registered in both Beijing and New Delhi on the same day. Officials stressed that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and that Indian citizens from the state are fully entitled to hold and travel using Indian passports.
India has also conveyed that the actions of Chinese authorities run contrary to international aviation protocols under the Chicago and Montreal Conventions, which govern civil aviation norms. Thongdok eventually boarded a later flight after consular involvement and was returned her passport without any entry markings.
The traveller has since written to the Prime Minister’s Office, calling for firm action and highlighting the distress, financial loss and emotional trauma caused by the detention. She noted that she had transited through China previously without difficulty and had confirmed beforehand that a visa was not required for transfers under 24 hours. She also pointed out that her passport remained valid and that she held a valid Japanese visa at the time.
The incident comes against the backdrop of ongoing diplomatic sensitivities surrounding Arunachal Pradesh, which China continues to claim, while India maintains that the state is an unquestionable and sovereign part of its territory. It also comes at a time when both sides have held multiple rounds of talks aimed at easing tensions along the Line of Actual Control and restoring normalcy in bilateral engagement.
The episode is expected to remain under watch, particularly given its implications for Indian travellers, transit procedures and the broader political messaging connected to territorial identity.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The detention of an Indian citizen born in Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai airport has added a new layer to an already delicate bilateral equation. India’s immediate demarche reflects a firm diplomatic stance, while the traveller’s experience underscores how geopolitical disputes can surface in civilian spaces. As both countries attempt to stabilise ties, such incidents risk complicating confidence-building efforts and heightening sensitivities around identity and sovereignty. The situation may continue to influence public sentiment, travel advisories and diplomatic engagement in the coming days.