India Says China’s Actions Harm Trust Amid Arunachal Passport Row
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday strongly criticised what it called “arbitrary actions” by China after an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was detained at Shanghai Pudong airport. The woman holds a valid Indian passport. Chinese immigration officials reportedly invalidated her passport because her birthplace — Arunachal Pradesh — is claimed by China as “South Tibet.” The MEA called the incident unacceptable.
India Asserts Arunachal Is Integral To Its Territory
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable part of India,” stating that “no amount of denial by China will alter this indisputable fact.” He added that such incidents undermine efforts to build mutual trust and destabilise bilateral ties.
Diplomatic Fallout And Official Protest Lodged
India lodged a strong diplomatic protest with China both from New Delhi and through its embassy in Beijing. Officials demanded a clear explanation and assurances that such incidents will not be repeated. The MEA described the detention as a violation of international travel norms and India’s sovereign rights.
Impact On India-China Relations And Public Sentiment
The incident has stirred concern in border states and among the public, especially in Arunachal Pradesh. Analysts say this episode could complicate ongoing efforts to maintain peace and cooperation between the two countries, particularly in light of recent diplomatic outreach and border de-escalation efforts.
