An Arunachal Pradesh woman, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, has alleged harassment and mistreatment by Chinese authorities at Shanghai Pudong Airport on November 21, 2025. Thongdok, who resides in the United Kingdom, was en route to Japan from London with a scheduled three-hour layover in Shanghai when the incident occurred.

Upon arrival, immigration officials allegedly declared her Indian passport invalid, stating that Arunachal Pradesh is a part of China. Thongdok claims she was detained for approximately 18 hours, denied the right to board her connecting flight despite holding a valid Japanese visa, and subjected to mockery and degrading comments. She also alleges that officials pressured her to purchase a new ticket exclusively on China Eastern Airlines, implying her passport would be returned only after doing so.

Thongdok recounted that after submitting her passport at immigration, an official singled her out and exclaimed, "India, India," before taking her to the immigration desk. When she questioned the validity of her passport, the officer allegedly responded that Arunachal is part of China and her passport was invalid. She further stated that she was unable to rebook tickets, buy meals or move between terminals during the ordeal. According to Thongdok, several immigration personnel and China Eastern Airlines staff mocked her, laughed at her, and suggested she obtain a "Chinese passport".

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken strong exception to the incident, lodging a formal diplomatic protest with China in both Beijing and Delhi. Indian officials have asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is indisputably Indian territory and its residents are entitled to hold and travel with Indian passports. They also highlighted that the actions of the Chinese authorities are in contravention of international civil aviation conventions. The Indian Consulate in Shanghai provided assistance to Thongdok, facilitating her departure on a late-night flight.

Thongdok has also written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing the incident as a "direct insult to India's sovereignty and to the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh". She has requested action against the immigration officials involved and assurances from the Indian government that such incidents will not recur for citizens from Arunachal Pradesh.

This is not the first instance of Chinese authorities questioning the validity of Indian passports held by Arunachal Pradesh residents. China's stance on Arunachal Pradesh, which it claims as part of South Tibet, has long been a point of contention between the two countries. India has consistently rejected these claims, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of the country. Sources within the MEA have stated that such actions by China create unnecessary obstacles to improving bilateral relations.