Prema Wangjom Thongdok alleges she was detained for 18 hours at Pudong Airport after Chinese immigration officials said her Indian passport was “invalid” because she was born in Arunachal Pradesh.
Arunachal Woman’s Ordeal at Shanghai Airport
Prema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh now living in the UK, says she was held for 18 hours by Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai Pudong Airport.
She was told her Indian passport was “invalid” because her place of birth — Arunachal Pradesh — was “not part of India.”
When she questioned the officials, they allegedly said: “You should apply for a Chinese passport.”
Details of the Incident
- Thongdok was transiting through Shanghai on November 21, flying from London to Japan.
- She claims she was “singled out” by an immigration officer and escorted back to the counter after initially clearing immigration.
- Officials allegedly mocked her repeatedly, questioning her Indian identity and calling Arunachal Pradesh “China.”
- Thongdok says she was denied access to food, airport facilities, and information for hours.
- She contacted the Indian Consulate in Shanghai, which intervened. Eventually, she was able to leave the airport late at night.
Diplomatic Fallout
- The Indian government lodged a strong protest, calling the detention “ludicrous” and “unacceptable.”
- Government sources say they took up the matter immediately with Chinese authorities in Beijing, demanding accountability.
- India also pointed out that such actions violate international civil aviation norms, including the Chicago and Montreal Conventions.
- Thongdok has urged the Indian government to raise this incident diplomatically and ensure better protection for citizens from Arunachal Pradesh.
The Larger Context
- Sovereignty Question: Arunachal Pradesh is a sensitive region — China’s refusal to accept her birthplace raises serious diplomatic eyebrows.
- Citizens’ Rights: The incident highlights how Indian citizens from the Northeast may face discrimination abroad due to geopolitical tensions.
- Travel Safety: It raises concerns about transit security for Indian travellers, especially those from border states.
- Diplomatic Pressure: This could strain India–China relations and force a stronger response from New Delhi on consular protection.
