India's Strong Rejection of China's Territorial Claims
The Indian government has delivered a forceful response to China's latest territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the northeastern state remains an integral and inalienable part of India. This diplomatic confrontation emerged following a concerning incident at Shanghai airport involving an Indian citizen.
The Shanghai Airport Incident
The latest flashpoint in India-China relations occurred when Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen, was flagged and detained at Shanghai airport. The reason for her detention centered on her Indian passport mentioning Arunachal Pradesh as her place of birth.
Chinese authorities referred to the Indian state as Zangnan, reflecting Beijing's continued territorial claims over the region. India has condemned this action as a clear violation of international travel norms and China's own transit regulations.
India's Diplomatic Stand
The Ministry of External Affairs firmly rejected China's position, stating that no amount of denial by China can alter the indisputable reality of Arunachal Pradesh being part of India. Indian officials emphasized that Beijing had no justification for questioning official Indian documents that legitimately list Arunachal Pradesh as a birthplace.
This incident, which took place on November 26, 2025, represents the newest diplomatic challenge between the two Asian giants. India's response underscores its unwavering position on territorial sovereignty and the validity of its documentation.
The detention of Prema Wangjom Thongdok has brought the long-standing border dispute back into sharp focus, demonstrating how these territorial disagreements continue to affect ordinary citizens and international relations between the two nations.
