Diplomatic Tension / Woman Stopped At Shanghai Airport Over Mention Of Arunachal In Passport, India Responds Firmly
·4 months ago·2 min read
Key Points
Officials reportedly declared her Indian passport “invalid” because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace, insisting that the state was “part of China.”
New Delhi, Nov 25: India has lodged a strong protest with China after a UK-based Indian woman was detained for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong International Airport over the mention of Arunachal Pradesh in her passport.
The woman, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, originally from Rupa in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district and now living in the UK, was stopped by Chinese immigration officials during a transit on November 21.
Officials reportedly declared her Indian passport “invalid” because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace, insisting that the state was “part of China.”
Thongdok recounted that she was mocked, told to “apply for a Chinese passport,” and subjected to rude behavior by immigration staff. What was meant to be a three-hour transit turned into an ordeal lasting 18 hours.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that a “strong demarche” was issued to the Chinese side both in Beijing and New Delhi on the same day.
The Indian Consulate in Shanghai also intervened locally to assist the stranded passenger.
Sources emphasized that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India, and its residents are fully entitled to hold and travel with Indian passports. The MEA further noted that the incident contravenes international civil aviation conventions, including the Chicago and Montreal Conventions, which mandate respect for valid travel documents.
Also read: Flights Rerouted, Cancelled as Volcanic Ash From Ethiopia Engulfs Delhi Sky
The episode comes at a sensitive time when both nations are attempting to stabilize ties. Indian officials described the detention as “unnecessary obstruction” and “harassment,” stressing that such actions undermine efforts to improve bilateral relations.
Thongdok has since been released and continued her journey, but the incident has sparked outrage in India, with calls for China to respect international norms and refrain from politicizing personal travel documents.
The woman, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, originally from Rupa in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district and now living in the UK, was stopped by Chinese immigration officials during a transit on November 21.
Officials reportedly declared her Indian passport “invalid” because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace, insisting that the state was “part of China.”
Thongdok recounted that she was mocked, told to “apply for a Chinese passport,” and subjected to rude behavior by immigration staff. What was meant to be a three-hour transit turned into an ordeal lasting 18 hours.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that a “strong demarche” was issued to the Chinese side both in Beijing and New Delhi on the same day.
The Indian Consulate in Shanghai also intervened locally to assist the stranded passenger.
Sources emphasized that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India, and its residents are fully entitled to hold and travel with Indian passports. The MEA further noted that the incident contravenes international civil aviation conventions, including the Chicago and Montreal Conventions, which mandate respect for valid travel documents.
Also read: Flights Rerouted, Cancelled as Volcanic Ash From Ethiopia Engulfs Delhi Sky
The episode comes at a sensitive time when both nations are attempting to stabilize ties. Indian officials described the detention as “unnecessary obstruction” and “harassment,” stressing that such actions undermine efforts to improve bilateral relations.
Thongdok has since been released and continued her journey, but the incident has sparked outrage in India, with calls for China to respect international norms and refrain from politicizing personal travel documents.
📱 Get Argus News App
✨📰 60 Word News🎬 Argus Podcast📺 Live TV and Breaking News🔔 Free Notification Alerts
Download Free:
Related Topics
Explore more stories