China Refutes Claims of Harassment of Indian Woman at Airport

An incident involving an Indian national at Shanghai Pudong International Airport has sparked diplomatic tensions between India and China. Pema Wangjom Thongdok, a citizen of India from Arunachal Pradesh, reported that she faced harassment from immigration officials due to her birthplace being listed as Arunachal Pradesh on her passport, a region that China claims as its own.

The 28-year-old, who was en route to Japan from London, stated that her three-hour layover turned into a distressing experience when immigration officials declared her passport invalid. According to Thongdok, she was detained for nearly 18 hours, during which she alleged that officials questioned her about her Indian nationality and mocked her based on her origins.

Following Thongdok's account, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement condemning the treatment she received. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is an essential and inseparable part of India, emphasising that no amount of denial by China would alter this fact. Jaiswal also highlighted that the matter had been raised with Chinese authorities, who have yet to provide a satisfactory explanation for their actions, which he described as violations of international travel conventions.

In a series of posts on social media, Thongdok expressed her shock at the treatment she received and conveyed her gratitude to the Indian consulate in Shanghai, which assisted her during the ordeal. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu also condemned the incident, labelling it as unacceptable and calling for urgent intervention from the Indian government to prevent future occurrences. Khandu reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is unambiguously a part of India and condemned any insinuation to the contrary as unfounded.

Responding to the allegations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning dismissed claims of harassment, stating that the border inspection authorities acted within the bounds of law and provided Thongdok with food and rest during her wait. Mao insisted that China does not recognise Arunachal Pradesh as legitimate, referring to it as Zangnan or South Tibet.

The Indian government has lodged a formal protest regarding Thongdok's treatment, asserting that her detention was based on baseless grounds. Indian officials reiterated that residents of Arunachal Pradesh rightfully hold Indian passports and are entitled to travel freely. The incident underscores the persistent tensions between India and China over territorial claims, particularly concerning Arunachal Pradesh, a region claimed by China for decades.

As diplomatic discussions continue, the incident raises questions about the treatment of Indian citizens in foreign territories, especially in regions with ongoing geopolitical disputes. Observers suggest that this incident may further strain relations between the two nations, as both sides remain firm in their respective positions on territorial sovereignty.