A day after India dismissed China’s justification for the detention of an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai airport, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Wednesday that Beijing’s actions are “unhelpful” for ongoing efforts to restore diplomatic relations.
The comments follow the claims of Pema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen, who described her three-hour layover on November 21 as a distressing experience. Chinese immigration officials labeled her passport “invalid” simply because it indicated Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace. Thongdok, who was traveling from London to Japan, reported being detained, questioned, and barred from catching her connecting flight.
During a weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticized such arbitrary actions, stating they undermine efforts to build mutual trust and gradually normalize bilateral relations. He reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable part of India,” emphasizing that “no amount of denial by the Chinese side will change this indisputable reality.”
Jaiswal added that New Delhi swiftly addressed the incident. “We made a strong demarche to the Chinese authorities in both Beijing and Delhi immediately after the incident,” he noted.
In a video statement, Jaiswal remarked on the situation surrounding Thongdok’s detention, asserting India’s position regarding her valid passport.
The MEA highlighted that maintaining peace along the border is crucial for the development of India-China relations. Jaiswal noted that since October 2024, both nations have been working to stabilize the situation in border areas, laying the groundwork for renewed people-centric engagement.
Eventually, Thongdok managed to reach the Indian Consulate in Shanghai through a friend in the UK. Officials reported that the consulate intervened with local authorities, offering “the fullest assistance” to the stranded traveler.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed deep shock over the treatment of Thongdok, calling the incident “a violation of international norms and an affront to the dignity of Indian citizens.”
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indias-strong-reaction-after-china-detained-arunachal-woman-pema-thongdok-no-amount-of-denial-will-change-reality-10387756/
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Publish Date: 2025-11-26 19:47:00
