On 21 November 2025, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen originally from Arunachal Pradesh, was detained at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport for nearly 18 hours. The woman was on her way from London to Japan with Shanghai as a scheduled layover. This incident, which unfolded during what should have been a routine transit; quickly escalated into a diplomatic concern due to the nature of the allegations she later made.
According to her statement, the Chinese immigration officials declared her passport as “invalid” on the grounds that it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace, a region Beijing claims to be a part of “Zagnan”. Thongdok also alleged that the Chinese officials confiscated her passport; denied her access to food and repeatedly mocked her Indian identity. These accusations suggest that the treatment she received went far beyond regular scrutiny and reflected the political sensitivities surrounding the region.
Indian Government’s response
Eventually she managed to contact the Indian consulate in Shanghai, after which she was allowed to leave by booking a new flight. India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a strong démarche to China. MEA’s spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated Arunachal Pradesh as an inalienable part of India. “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and its existence is a self-evident fact. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality,” said Mr Jaiswal in his statement. This firm response from the Indian side reflects New Delhi’s consistent stance on the territorial issue and signals that incidents involving Indian citizens will be taken seriously.
China’s Position
On the other hand, China defended the actions of the immigration authorities; stating that the procedure was carried out in accordance with the laws and regulations and denied any wrongdoing or targeted discrimination. Beijing’s statement framed the episode as a standard administrative process; despite the strong objections raised by India and the personal experience described by Thongdok.
Indo-China relations
The diplomatic ties between China and India, already strained due to recurring border standoffs, trade restrictions, and growing strategic rivalry in the Indo-Pacific; have been further aggravated by this episode. With tensions already running high, even a single incident involving a traveller has the potential to widen the rift and deepen the mistrust prevailing between the two nations.
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