India has issued a strong diplomatic protest after China repeated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh following an 18-hour detention of an Indian woman from the border state at Shanghai airport. The incident has sparked outrage and renewed tensions between the two neighboring nations.
The Shanghai Airport Incident
Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh, was detained at Shanghai airport on November 21, 2025. Chinese authorities held her for 18 hours in what has been described as passport harassment. The extended detention occurred despite Thongdok possessing valid travel documents.
During her ordeal, Chinese officials questioned her extensively about her origins and background. The incident represents a significant escalation in China's practice of singling out residents from Arunachal Pradesh at international transit points.
China's Provocative Statement
Following the detention, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated Beijing's position on the northeastern Indian state. "We have never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India," Ning stated, repeating China's long-standing claim over what it calls "Zangnan."
The statement came amid growing diplomatic tensions and represents China's continued assertion of territorial claims despite the ongoing border disputes between the two Asian giants.
India's Strong Response
The Indian government responded swiftly to both the detention and China's subsequent statements. India issued a strong demarche to Chinese officials, condemning the actions as a "ludicrous violation" of diplomatic norms and international travel protocols.
The Indian foreign ministry emphasized that Arunachal Pradesh has always been and will remain an integral part of India. Officials expressed particular concern over the pattern of harassment faced by Indian citizens from the border region when traveling internationally.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage in India, with many condemning China's actions as unacceptable and provocative. The detention of Thongdok represents the latest flashpoint in the complex border relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
This episode occurs against the backdrop of ongoing military tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), where both countries have maintained significant troop deployments since the 2020 border clashes. The airport detention and subsequent territorial claims have further complicated efforts to normalize relations between India and China.
