New Delhi has voiced strong disapproval of China’s recent actions, specifically the detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai airport. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that such “arbitrary actions” by Beijing are detrimental to the ongoing efforts to foster mutual trust and understanding between the two nations. Maintaining peace and stability along the border was highlighted as a cornerstone for the advancement of India-China relations.
The MEA spokesperson unequivocally reaffirmed that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable” territory of India, asserting that China’s denial of this fact does not change its “indisputable reality.” Pema Wang Thongdok, the traveler in question, alleged that she was detained for 18 hours on November 21 at Shanghai airport. Chinese immigration authorities reportedly refused to recognize her Indian passport because her place of birth was listed as Arunachal Pradesh.
In response to China’s foreign ministry’s earlier statement that their actions were in line with regulations and their repeated claims over Arunachal Pradesh, the MEA issued a firm rejection. “Arbitrary actions by China… are most unhelpful towards efforts being made by both sides to build mutual trust and understanding, and gradually move towards normalisation of bilateral relations,” the spokesperson remarked.
The MEA reiterated India’s long-standing position: Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable” part of India, a fact that requires no external validation. The spokesperson also emphasized that “maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border regions is a prerequisite for the continued and overall development of India-China bilateral relations.” He noted that past progress, particularly in people-focused initiatives, has been built upon this foundation of border peace.
The bilateral relationship has faced significant challenges since the 2020 Ladakh border confrontation. However, recent months have seen a concerted push towards normalization, with both countries engaging in confidence-building measures and resuming key interactions like direct flights, even as such incidents create new points of friction.