Asserting its sovereignty, India has declared that Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable and integral part of the nation, directly addressing China’s recent statements. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson stated unequivocally that Arunachal Pradesh’s status as Indian territory is a well-established reality, unaffected by any assertions from Beijing. This declaration follows an incident where an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh was reportedly detained and questioned at Shanghai airport during her transit.
The individual, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh living in the UK, was en route to Japan from London. She alleged that Chinese immigration officials invalidated her Indian passport and subjected her to questioning, with remarks suggesting that Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese territory. This situation lasted for several hours at the airport.
India has lodged official protests regarding the incident, pointing out the potential breach of international transit protocols. Efforts were made by the Indian consulate in Shanghai to provide support to the affected traveler. Conversely, Chinese authorities have refuted claims of detention or mistreatment, asserting that all procedures were standard. China’s Foreign Ministry also restated its long-standing territorial claim over the region, referring to it as “Zangnan.”