Diplomatic Standoff Escalates Over Arunachal Pradesh Status
India has issued a firm rebuttal to China's territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh following a troubling incident involving an Indian citizen detained at Shanghai International Airport. The Ministry of External Affairs asserted that Arunachal Pradesh remains an integral and inalienable part of India, dismissing Chinese attempts to challenge this reality.
The Shanghai Airport Ordeal
The diplomatic tension escalated after Pema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian citizen residing in the United Kingdom for 14 years, faced unexpected detention during her transit through Shanghai on November 21, 2025. Thongdok was traveling from London to Japan when her scheduled three-hour layover turned into what she described as a traumatizing experience.
According to official accounts, Chinese immigration authorities declared her Indian passport invalid solely because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace. This action prompted immediate concern from Indian diplomatic channels and raised serious questions about China's adherence to international travel conventions.
India's Strong Response
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the situation with unequivocal clarity. We have seen statements made by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, Jaiswal stated, emphasizing that the passenger was holding a valid Indian passport and was merely transiting through Shanghai International Airport.
The Indian government took swift diplomatic action, lodging a strong demarche formal diplomatic protest with Chinese authorities both in Beijing and New Delhi on the same day the incident occurred. Indian officials firmly conveyed that Arunachal Pradesh is indisputably Indian territory and its residents are fully entitled to hold and travel with Indian passports.
Conflicting Narratives Emerge
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning presented a contrasting version of events, denying that Thongdok experienced any harassment or detention. According to Mao, Chinese border inspection authorities carried out check procedures in accordance with laws and regulations, describing the law enforcement as impartial and non-abusive.
Mao further defended China's position by stating, Zangnan is China's territory, and China does not recognise the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India. This statement refers to China's terminology for the region it calls Zangnan or South Tibet.
The Indian Consulate in Shanghai actively intervened in the situation, providing assistance to the stranded passenger and taking up the matter locally. Indian authorities highlighted that Chinese actions violated several conventions governing international air travel, including their own regulations permitting visa-free transit up to 24 hours for nationals of all countries.
Broader Implications
This incident represents the latest chapter in the ongoing territorial dispute between the two Asian giants. India maintains that no amount of denial by the Chinese side will change the reality of Arunachal Pradesh's status as Indian territory. The government has emphasized that Chinese authorities have been unable to provide satisfactory explanations for their actions that contravene established international norms.
The situation underscores the persistent tensions along the disputed border regions and highlights the challenges faced by Indian citizens from Arunachal Pradesh when traveling internationally. As both nations maintain their respective positions, the incident at Shanghai airport has brought the long-standing territorial dispute back into sharp diplomatic focus.
