An Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was detained for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong International Airport after Chinese immigration officers refused to recognise her Indian passport, claiming that her birthplace made the document invalid. The incident has triggered political outrage, fresh diplomatic concern and strong reactions from across India.
Pema Wang Thongdok, who was travelling from London to Japan, landed in Shanghai for a routine transit on November 21. Within minutes, her journey spiralled into an ordeal when immigration officials seized her passport and told her she could not enter or transit through China because her passport mentioned “Arunachal Pradesh” as her place of birth.
How the Detention Began at Shanghai Airport
Thongdok approached the immigration counter to complete her transit formalities. Authorities stopped her and raised an objection to her Indian passport, insisting that Arunachal Pradesh was “part of China” and therefore her document was “not valid”.
According to her account:
- Officers confiscated her passport
- She was denied boarding on her onward flight to Japan
- She was held in a cordoned-off area
- She received almost no food for long hours
- She was pressured to “apply for a Chinese passport”
- She was asked to buy a new ticket on China Eastern Airlines in order to get her passport back
Thongdok said she repeatedly tried to reason with authorities, showing her Indian passport and Japanese visa, but the officials refused to acknowledge either.
Her detention continued late into the night, creating growing distress as she struggled without clarity, food or access to assistance.
How Indian Officials Intervened
Thongdok managed to reach out to Indian authorities. With the involvement of the Indian Consulate, the matter began to move, though slowly.
Indian officials reportedly had to insist that her passport was a valid Indian document and that China had no grounds to detain an Indian citizen based on birthplace. Only after sustained intervention did Shanghai airport authorities release her passport and allow her to leave.
She was eventually permitted to continue her journey.
Political Reactions in India
The incident drew sharp responses from political leaders and civil society groups.
The Congress Party released a public statement urging the government to take a firm stand and lodge a strong diplomatic protest. Leaders from Arunachal Pradesh also called the detention humiliating and raised concerns about the safety of people from the state when travelling.
Several officials highlighted that this was not an isolated geopolitical stance but part of a larger pattern where China questions India’s territorial authority over Arunachal Pradesh.
Why Arunachal Pradesh Remains a Sensitive Flashpoint
Relations between India and China have remained tense regarding Arunachal Pradesh, which China refers to as “South Tibet”.
Over the years:
- China has issued stapled visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh
- Chinese authorities have objected to Indian leaders visiting the state
- China has renamed multiple areas inside the state in official documents
- Beijing routinely protests Indian infrastructure work in the region
Thongdok’s detention, however, amplified those tensions because it influenced the life of an ordinary Indian traveller rather than a political or military entity.
The Human Impact of a Geopolitical Dispute
Speaking after her release, Thongdok said the experience felt “scary and lonely”. She described the hours of detention as deeply stressful and said she feared that her passport would not be returned.
She added that people from Arunachal Pradesh should not be left vulnerable during international travel simply because of geopolitical disagreements.
Her account resonated widely on social media, where many Indians expressed anger and demanded stronger diplomatic safeguards for travellers from the Northeast.
What This Incident Signals for Travellers and Policy Makers
Concerns for Indian Travellers
Citizens from border states may face heightened scrutiny when passing through regions where geopolitical claims are active. This incident suggests that travellers from Arunachal Pradesh may need clearer advisories and support mechanisms.
Implications for India’s Diplomacy
The Ministry of External Affairs may now face pressure to seek explanations from China, update travel guidelines and reinforce the sovereign status of Indian passports.
Airline Responsibility and Passenger Rights
The claim that Thongdok was asked to buy a new ticket to retrieve her passport raises questions about airline involvement, passenger protection and compensation in internationally disputed situations.
An Incident That Goes Beyond a Single Traveller
What happened in Shanghai underscores how political boundaries and international claims can suddenly influence the everyday life of an ordinary person. The experience has already become a national conversation about identity, rights and diplomatic assertiveness.
For Thongdok, the immediate ordeal is over. But her story has opened a larger question:
How can India ensure that citizens from Arunachal Pradesh are never treated as foreigners in their own country, especially beyond Indian borders?
This debate is far from over, and India’s official response in the coming days will determine how this incident shapes future travel safeguards and diplomatic friction.
FAQs
Why was the Indian traveller from Arunachal Pradesh detained in Shanghai?
She was detained because Chinese immigration officials refused to recognise her Indian passport. They claimed her birthplace, Arunachal Pradesh, was “part of China” and therefore considered the passport invalid.
How long was she held at the airport?
She remained detained for nearly 18 hours inside Shanghai Pudong International Airport before being released.
Did she have valid travel documents for her onward journey?
Yes. She had a valid Indian passport, a confirmed ticket to Japan and a valid Japanese visa. Despite this, she was stopped from boarding her onward flight.
How did she get released?
Her release came after intervention by Indian consular officials, who insisted that her Indian passport was valid and must be recognised.
Was she pressured to take any additional steps at the airport?
According to her statement, airport officials pressured her to apply for a Chinese passport and asked her to buy a new airline ticket to retrieve her seized passport.
What has been the reaction in India?
Political leaders, civil society groups and residents of Arunachal Pradesh have strongly criticised the incident. Many called it an unacceptable violation of India’s sovereignty and demanded a formal diplomatic response.
Is this linked to the India-China border dispute over Arunachal Pradesh?
Yes. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as “South Tibet” and has previously issued stapled visas or rejected Indian documents from the state. This incident reflects longstanding geopolitical friction.
What should travellers from Arunachal Pradesh keep in mind?
While such cases are rare, travellers from the state may need to remain cautious during transit in certain countries and ensure immediate contact with Indian consular officials if any issues arise.