Chinese Immigration Refuses to Recognise Arunachal Pradesh as Part of India

By Qamar Farooqui | International Desk

NEW DELHI: A woman from Arunachal Pradesh was detained for nearly 18 hours by Chinese immigration authorities at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport on November 21, after officials allegedly refused to acknowledge the validity of her Indian passport because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace.

Passport Declared “Invalid” Over Birthplace

The passenger, Pema Wang Thongdok, was travelling from London to Japan with a transit stop in Shanghai. She stated that immigration officers declared her passport “invalid,” insisting that Arunachal Pradesh is part of China and therefore could not be mentioned as a birthplace on an Indian passport.

Detained, Mocked and Denied Basic Facilities

In multiple posts on X, Thongdok claimed that:

• Officials seized her passport
• She was barred from boarding her onward flight despite a valid Japanese visa
• She was denied food, basic facilities, and assistance
• Immigration officers mocked her and told her to apply for a Chinese passport

She further alleged that China Eastern Airlines staff forced her to purchase a new ticket before returning her documents, causing significant financial losses from missed flights and hotel bookings.

Consular Intervention and Release

Thongdok said that after repeated distress calls, Indian consular intervention enabled her to leave the airport late at night and resume her travel.

Calling the experience a direct insult to India’s sovereignty, she appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior officials to take up the matter diplomatically with Beijing and ensure protections for people from Arunachal Pradesh.

Political Reactions and Renewed Debate

The incident has sparked widespread online outrage and revived debate over China’s longstanding territorial claim on Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing terms “Zangnan”, or the southern part of Tibet.

Opposition’s Response

The Congress Party issued a strong statement, saying:

“Chinese officials at Shanghai Airport told a woman from Arunachal — Prema Wangjom — that Arunachal is part of China. They declared her Indian passport invalid and pressured her to apply for a Chinese passport.

She was detained for 18 hours. This treatment is unacceptable. The Modi government must lodge a strong objection with China. Modi ji, this is the right time to show your ‘red eyes’ and respond.”