Saturday, March 29, 2025
Arunachal Pradesh Is An Integral Part of India: New Delhi Responds Firmly to China After Detention of Indian Woman in Shanghai
The issue of the unlawful detention of an Indian woman at Shanghai Airport has intensified tensions between India and China. After China repeated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh while responding to India’s protest, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a clear and strong statement reaffirming that Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable and integral part of India, and no amount of Chinese denial can change this fact.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to the remarks made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry regarding the detention of an Indian citizen, Pem Wangjom Thongdok. He stated:
“She held a valid Indian passport and was on her way to Japan via Shanghai Airport. Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable and integral part of India. This is a self-evident fact. No amount of Chinese denial will change this unquestionable reality.”
Jaiswal added that India has taken up the matter of Thongdok’s arbitrary detention strongly with Chinese authorities, who have yet to provide any justification for their actions. The MEA termed the incident a violation of several international civil aviation agreements, as well as China’s own rules that allow 24-hour visa-free transit for foreign nationals.
On 21 November, UK-based Indian citizen Pem Wangjom Thongdok was stopped during her transit from London to Japan. Chinese immigration officials declared her passport “invalid” because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her place of birth.
She was reportedly detained for 18 hours, during which she said she was mistreated and not allowed to leave. With the help of a friend in the UK, she contacted the Indian Consulate in Shanghai. Indian officials eventually facilitated her departure on a late-night flight.
In response to India’s protest, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning insisted:
“Zangnan (Arunachal Pradesh) is part of China.”
China has never recognized the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh,” which it claims India “illegally established.”
She also denied that the Indian woman faced any coercion or harassment.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed shock and condemned the incident as:
“A violation of international norms and an attack on the dignity of Indian citizens.”
China has long claimed Arunachal Pradesh as “South Tibet.” Over the years, Beijing has:
Renamed several villages in Arunachal,
Issued maps showing Indian territory as its own,
Objected to Indian leaders’ visits to the state.
India has consistently rejected these claims, reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh will always remain an integral part of India.
