Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday said he was “deeply shocked” by the “unacceptable treatment” of Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a woman from the state who was allegedly mocked and held for hours by Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai’s Pudong Airport.
In a post on X, Khandu said subjecting a valid Indian passport holder to humiliation was “appalling,” adding that Arunachal Pradesh “is, and will always be, an integral part of India.”
Thongdok, who lives in the UK, was travelling from London to Japan with a three-hour layover in Shanghai on November 21.
Despite holding a valid Japanese visa, she said she was stopped for more than 18 hours after Chinese authorities claimed her passport was invalid because it listed Arunachal Pradesh, territory Beijing claims as “Zangnan,” or South Tibet.
She alleged officials made fun of her and even told her to apply for a Chinese passport. Her release came only after Indian consular staff intervened.
Responding to media queries, China’s foreign ministry reiterated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, saying it “never recognises” the state. It also denied detaining or harassing the woman, calling the checks routine.
India has consistently rejected China’s claims, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of the country.
