New Delhi – India has strongly rebuked China's recent actions and statements regarding Arunachal Pradesh, following the alleged detention of an Indian citizen at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has firmly asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is an "integral and inalienable" part of India, a reality that "no amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change".

The incident involves Pema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen originally from Arunachal Pradesh, who was reportedly held for approximately 18 hours while in transit in Shanghai on November 21, 2025. Thongdok, who was traveling from London to Japan with a valid Indian passport and a Japanese visa, alleges that Chinese immigration officials questioned her nationality, declared her Indian passport invalid, and stated that "Arunachal is not part of India". She also claimed that the officials mocked and laughed at her.

India has taken a strong stance on the matter, with the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that the issue has been taken up "strongly" with the Chinese side. The MEA has also accused Chinese authorities of violating international air travel conventions and China's own regulations, which allow visa-free transit for up to 24 hours for nationals of all countries. The MEA emphasized that China has yet to provide an explanation for their actions.

China's Foreign Ministry has denied the allegations of detention and harassment, stating that border checks were conducted in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations and that the traveler's rights were protected. A spokesperson reiterated China's long-held position that it does not recognize Arunachal Pradesh, referring to it as "Zangnan" and claiming it as Chinese territory. "The Chinese side has never recognised the so-called 'Arunachal Pradesh' illegally set up by India," stated Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

This is not an isolated incident. China has previously made similar claims and has, in the past, issued stapled visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, effectively questioning India's sovereignty over these territories. Such actions have consistently drawn strong protests from India.

The recent episode has sparked outrage in India, with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressing shock and terming the incident a violation of international norms and the dignity of Indian citizens. The incident has also been condemned by political parties in Arunachal Pradesh.

India has emphasized that such actions by China create "unnecessary obstructions" to the ongoing efforts to normalize bilateral relations, particularly after the resolution of the military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Despite the tensions, both countries have recently resumed direct flights, tourist visa distribution, and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. India has urged China not to escalate the issue of Arunachal Pradesh, underscoring its importance to India's territorial integrity.

Arunachal Pradesh, a state in Northeast India, shares a 1,129 km border with China's Tibet Autonomous Region, known as the McMahon Line, which has been a subject of dispute. China claims the state as South Tibet.