A day after an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh was detained at the Shanghai International Airport for allegedly carrying an “invalid” Indian passport, the Government of India has issued a sharp protest to Beijing. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, dismissing China’s claim over the state.
Mr. Jaiswal stated:
“Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. This is a self-evident and indisputable fact. No amount of denial from the Chinese side can alter this reality.”
His remarks came in response to the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s comment that the detained individual — Prema Wangjom Thongdok — was handled as per Chinese domestic laws.
✈ Held for 18 Hours, Passport Rejected Due to Arunachal Birthplace
Thongdok revealed on November 23, 2025, through social media that she was held for over 18 hours on November 21 at the Shanghai airport. According to her statement, Chinese immigration authorities and China Eastern Airlines declared her Indian passport “invalid” because her place of birth is listed as Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as its territory.
The incident took place shortly after China Eastern Airlines resumed its Shanghai–Delhi flight service on November 9, 2025, restoring direct air travel between the two countries after a gap of five years.
“🇮🇳 India Issues “Strong Demarche”
Government officials moved swiftly after the incident came to light, and on November 24, 2025, confirmed that a “strong demarche” had been issued to China.
MEA spokesperson Jaiswal further said:
“The detention matter has been taken up strongly with the Chinese side. Chinese authorities have still not been able to justify their actions, which violate multiple international conventions on air travel. Their actions also contradict China’s own regulations allowing visa-free transit for up to 24 hours for nationals of all countries.”
Thongdok was on a transit journey through Shanghai to Japan when the detention occurred.