India Rejects China’s Response Over Passport Row
The Arunachal Pradesh-born Indian citizen, Pema Wang Thongdok, was detained for around 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on 21 November 2025. According to her account, Chinese immigration officials refused to recognise her Indian passport because her birthplace was listed as Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as part of China. The officials reportedly denied her onward transit to Japan despite a valid visa.
India’s Firm Rebuttal to China
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected China’s explanation of the incident and denounced Beijing’s continued claim over Arunachal Pradesh. The MEA said that “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India” and that no amount of denial could alter this reality. The MEA also raised concerns over what it termed violations of international transit norms at the airport.
Diplomatic Fallout and Next Steps
China’s foreign ministry defended its immigration officials, stating that they acted according to regulations and dismissed allegations of mistreatment. In response, New Delhi issued a diplomatic demarche and demanded a clear explanation from Beijing. Analysts view the episode as evidence of the broader territorial dispute between India and China, and one that could influence visa and transit procedures for citizens of Arunachal Pradesh.
