Arunachal CM Slams China for “Humiliating” Indian Woman at Shanghai Airport Over Passport Row

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Chinese immigration authorities for detaining and allegedly mocking an Indian citizen from the state for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, simply because her passport listed Arunachal Pradesh as her place of birth.

The woman, Pema Wangjom Thongdok (also referred to as Prema Wangjom Thongdok), a long-time UK resident originally from Rupa in West Kameng district, was transiting through Shanghai on 21 November en route from London to Japan when the ordeal began during what was meant to be a three-hour layover.

According to Thongdok, Chinese officials declared her Indian passport “invalid”, repeatedly asserted that “Arunachal Pradesh is part of China”, confiscated the document, prevented her from boarding her connecting flight despite a valid Japanese visa, and confined her to the transit area without proper food or facilities. She alleged that several officers and airline staff laughed at her and even suggested she apply for a Chinese passport.

In a strongly worded statement posted on X, CM Khandu said: “Subjecting a proud Indian citizen to humiliation and racial mockery despite a valid Indian passport is appalling. Arunachal Pradesh is, and will always be, an integral part of India. Any insinuation otherwise is baseless and offensive. Such conduct violates international norms and is an affront to the dignity of our citizens.”

He added that he was “deeply shocked” by the incident and expressed confidence that the Ministry of External Affairs would take up the matter urgently to prevent recurrence.

India swiftly lodged strong diplomatic protests (demarches) with China both in Beijing and New Delhi on the day of the incident itself. The Indian Consulate General in Shanghai immediately intervened, provided assistance to the stranded passenger, and eventually ensured her safe departure on a late-night flight.

Thongdok, who studied in the United States and has been living in London for several years, eventually reached Japan after suffering significant financial losses from cancelled flights and hotel bookings.

The episode has once again spotlighted China’s continuing refusal to recognise Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory, despite New Delhi’s consistent position that the state is an inalienable part of India.

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