Chinese harassment of Arunachal-Born Indian National At Shanghai Airport not acceptable, needs to be “Galwanized” by India
Prema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian national hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, was detained and mistreated at Shanghai Pudong International Airport while in transit. Thongdok had to undergo an 18-hour ordeal marked by mocking remarks and discriminatory questioning over her Indian citizenship.
The above prompted a formal diplomatic protest from New Delhi, while as usual China through clever wordings has denied allegations of any harassment made by the Indian national. In fact the airline staff from China Eastern Airlines, with which Prema was travelling also joined in the derisive behaviour, repeating the claim of the Immigration Official that Arunachal Pradesh belonged to China.
According to Thongdok Chinese immigration officials questioned the very validity of her Indian passport, alleging that Arunachal Pradesh was not part of India. She recounted that officers laughed and advised her to “apply for a Chinese passport”, claiming she was “Chinese, not Indian”. The incident occurred while she was transiting through Shanghai from London to Japan. Thongdok, an Indian citizen residing in the United Kingdom, stated that she was singled out in the immigration queue without explanation. She has previously transited through Shanghai without incident. However this time her experience was marked by hostility and humiliation.
The situation escalated when she was held for several hours, denied contact with her family, and told that her visa and passport were invalid. Her predicament ended only after Indian consular officials in Shanghai and Beijing intervened, visiting the airport, providing food, and negotiating her release. Thongdok later expressed relief at having left China but described the experience as “a very long ordeal”. Thongdok’s ludicrous and unacceptable. detention by Chinese authorities has violated international civil aviation norms established under the Chicago and Montreal Conventions. The Indian Consulate in Shanghai then extended “fullest assistance” to ensure the passenger’s release.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry as per their behaviourial history, rejected the incident outright. Spokesperson Mao Ning, addressing reporters in Beijing, stated that Chinese border inspection authorities had conducted routine checks “in strict accordance with laws and regulations”. She insisted that “the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected and no compulsory measures were taken”. Mao further asserted that China had not engaged in any “detaining” or “harassing” behaviour.
Thereafter, Mao went on to reiterate that “Zangnan” – referring to Arunachal Pradesh – is part of Chinese territory. She dismissed any Indian administrative authority in the region, saying, “The Chinese side has never recognised the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ illegally set up by India.” The spokesperson added that the airline had provided the passenger with rest and meal facilities during the process. This kind of Chinese drama needs to be ” Galwanized ” By India at once.
As a first step, the direct airline flights started between the two countries need to be reviewed at once. Till the review is completed and a decision taken, presently direct flights must be restricted to Delhi – Beijing only.
All direct flights to Shanghai and Guanzhou needs to be suspended forthwith.
Secondly India must ensure that any Tibetan national, presently residing in Chinese Occupied Tibet, if visiting India must obtain an India visa only through his Government functioning from Dharamshala.
A Governors conclave of all Eastern Zone states plus NE Council ( Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalay. Manipur and Mizoram ) be held at Tawang. This must be addressed by the President of India.
India should establish full ambassodorial level diplomatic relationship with Tibet Govt in Exile. Trade relationship with Taiwan also be taken to the next level by signing a FTA.
As in the past, even this time Indian officials have, strongly objected to the Chinese explanation. New Delhi sent a “strong demarche” which was delivered to the Chinese side both through the Embassy in Beijing and in New Delhi. India reiterated its firm position that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of the country, and its residents are fully entitled to hold and travel with Indian passports.
The External Affairs Ministry has rejected repeated Chinese attempts to rename places or assert alternative sovereignty claims over the state. In a statement earlier this year, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal remarked, “Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral part of India.”
The latest episode has happened at a time when New Delhi and Beijing have been striving to stabilise relations following years of tension along the Line of Actual Control in Ladhak. The incident underscores the persistent Chinese policy of not resolving the Indo Tibet International boundary and the Tibet – China international boundary.
