- By Shivangi Sharma
- Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:38 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India has issued a strong protest to China after an Arunachal Pradesh–born Indian citizen was detained for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong Airport under what New Delhi has described as “ludicrous” and unacceptable grounds. The incident, involving UK-based professional Prema Wangjom Thongdok, has triggered a diplomatic row, with India accusing China of violating international aviation conventions and obstructing ongoing efforts to restore bilateral normalcy.
Sources told ANI that India wasted no time in raising the matter at multiple levels. A “strong demarche” was issued to Chinese authorities in Beijing and New Delhi on the very day the incident occurred. Simultaneously, the Consulate General of India in Shanghai intervened locally and provided full assistance to the stranded passenger.
Prema confirmed the help she received, saying: “They got me some food, spoke through the issues with them and helped me get out of the country… A very long ordeal, 18 hours, but glad that I’m out of there.”
‘Arunachal Pradesh Is Indian Territory’
New Delhi was firm in communicating that the detention was baseless. Sources cited by ANI conveyed to the Chinese side that: Arunachal Pradesh is indisputably Indian territory, and residents of the state are fully entitled to hold and travel using Indian passports.
Officials stressed that the treatment of Prema, whose passport was declared “invalid” because her birthplace was listed as Arunachal Pradesh, was not only unjustified but also a deliberate provocation.
Violation Of Global Aviation Conventions
India reminded Beijing that its actions breached the Chicago and Montreal Conventions on civil aviation, both of which govern standards for the treatment of international travellers.
New Delhi emphasised that such behaviour directly contradicts the spirit of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilising India–China relations post–2020. “At a time when both sides are working on restoring normalcy, such actions introduce unnecessary obstructions to the process,” a source said.
Inside 18-Hour Ordeal: Humiliation, Mockery And Pressure
Thongdok, who works as an IFPR reporting specialist in London, recounted a disturbing sequence of events. After initially clearing immigration during her London–Japan journey on November 21, she was suddenly pulled aside, escorted back, and repeatedly informed that her passport was unacceptable.
She alleged Chinese officials and airline staff: Mocked her, insisting “Arunachal Pradesh is part of China”, suggested she apply for a Chinese passport, COnfiscated her passport, denied her access to proper facilities, food, or clear instructions, prevented her from boarding her scheduled flight to Japan despite a valid visa, and ressured her to buy a new ticket on China Eastern Airlines, causing financial losses.
Confined in the transit zone with no ability to rebook or exit, Thongdok eventually contacted the Indian Consulate, which intervened and ensured her departure late that night