A woman from Arunachal Pradesh faced a shocking ordeal at Shanghai Pudong International Airport after Chinese authorities allegedly declared her Indian passport “invalid,” claiming she belonged to “South Tibet.”
The incident has triggered strong reactions in India and renewed concerns over China’s repeated territorial claims.
The passenger, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, originally from the Rupa area of West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh and currently living in the UK, was travelling from London to Japan on November 21. During her transit in Shanghai, she was detained by Chinese immigration officials for nearly 18 hours.
According to Thongdok, Chinese officials refused to recognise her valid Indian passport, stating it could not be accepted because China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory. She alleged that she was denied basic amenities, including food, water, and proper seating, and that her passport was confiscated. She was also stopped from boarding her connecting flight to Japan.
Thongdok further said that some China Eastern Airlines staff mocked her during the ordeal, telling her to “apply for a Chinese passport” instead.
The situation improved only after a friend in the UK contacted the Indian Consulate in Shanghai. Indian officials intervened, after which Chinese authorities released her and arranged for her travel on another flight.
A senior official from the Indian Consulate condemned the incident, calling it “cruel and unacceptable.” The official emphasised that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and that its citizens have the right to travel on Indian passports. Detaining an Indian national without cause, he said, violates international civil aviation norms.
Thongdok has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing the incident as an insult to India’s sovereignty. She urged the government to take action against those responsible, provide her with compensation, and ensure that people from Arunachal Pradesh do not face such harassment in the future.
