In an incident that has triggered fresh diplomatic friction between India and China, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh and long-time resident of the UK, was detained for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on November 21, 2025. What was meant to be a routine three-hour transit from London to Japan turned into a harrowing ordeal marked by harassment, mockery, and denial of basic rights, after Chinese immigration officials questioned the legitimacy of her Indian passport due to her birthplace.

The Detention Ordeal

Thongdok — who has lived in the UK for 14 years — recounted the traumatic experience in interviews with ANI and in emotional posts on X. After clearing initial immigration, she was stopped at the security queue when an official noticed “Arunachal Pradesh” listed on her passport.

“They singled me out, screaming ‘India, India’ with my name,” she said. “The officer told me, ‘Arunachal — not India, China-China. Your passport is invalid.’”

Officials allegedly dismissed her passport as unacceptable, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh — which China claims as “Zangnan” (South Tibet) — is Chinese territory. Thongdok says she was mocked openly:

• Officials told her: “You are Chinese, not Indian. Apply for a Chinese passport.”
• China Eastern Airlines staff reportedly joined in, pointing at her passport and laughing while repeating, “Arunachal… China, not India.”

Her passport was seized, and she was prevented from boarding her connecting flight to Japan despite holding a valid Japanese visa. For nearly 18 hours, she claims she was:

• Denied food, water, and restroom access
• Barred from accessing her luggage
• Unable to contact her family

She eventually had to buy a new ticket, suffering significant financial loss.

Swift Rescue by Indian Consulate

Thongdok managed to contact a friend in the UK, who alerted the Indian Consulate in Shanghai. Within an hour, Indian officials reached the airport, offered her food, negotiated with Chinese authorities, and secured her release.

“The embassy officials came, spoke through the issues, and helped me get out,” she said. “A very long ordeal — 18 hours — but I’m glad I’m out of there.”

She was escorted onto a late-night flight and finally departed for Japan.

India Issues Strong Diplomatic Protest

The Indian government reacted firmly. On November 21, India issued a strong demarche — a formal diplomatic protest — in both Beijing and New Delhi.

MEA officials termed the detention “ludicrous,” “unacceptable,” and a “needless obstruction” at a sensitive time in bilateral ties. The demarche stated:

• Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India.
• Residents of the state are fully entitled to hold and travel with Indian passports.
• Thongdok’s transit rights under international law were violated.
• China must take accountability and disciplinary action against the officials and airline staff involved.

This is part of a long-running pattern: China routinely disputes India’s sovereignty over Arunachal, issues “stapled visas” to residents, and renames locations to assert its claims. Earlier in May 2025, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed China’s renaming spree as “vain and preposterous.”

Thongdok’s Appeal for Justice

In a detailed letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Arunachal CM Pema Khandu, and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Thongdok called the incident a:

“Direct insult to India’s sovereignty and to the people of Arunachal Pradesh.”

She requested:

• A formal probe and disciplinary action against Chinese immigration and airline personnel
• Compensation for her financial losses
• Guarantees to protect Arunachal residents from similar harassment
• Clear diplomatic measures to prevent future incidents

Her posts on X went viral, drawing thousands of reactions and strong public support.

“This isn’t just my story — it’s an attack on every Indian from Arunachal,” she wrote.

A Bigger Geopolitical Undercurrent

The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between India and China, worsened by:

• The 2020 Galwan Valley clash
• Unresolved disputes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
• China’s continued infrastructure buildup and aggressive territorial claims

Arunachal Pradesh, strategically positioned along the borders with Bhutan, Myanmar, and Tibet, remains a sensitive flashpoint.

Political reactions in India were swift. Leaders across party lines condemned the incident, calling for stronger safeguards for Arunachal residents traveling abroad.

As of November 25, China had not issued a formal response to India’s demarche.

No Comment Yet

NRIGlobe reached out to both the Indian Consulate in Shanghai and China Eastern Airlines for comments. Neither had responded at the time of publication.

Travel advisory: Passengers from Arunachal Pradesh transiting through China are urged to exercise caution and keep consular contacts easily accessible.

This report is based on Thongdok’s firsthand account, government sources, and coverage by ANI, India Today, NDTV, and The New Indian Express.

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