9 months ago
Indian Woman Detained in Shanghai Over Arunachal Passport Issue
A woman named Pema Wangjom Thongdok, who was born in Arunachal Pradesh and lives in the UK, was traveling from London to Japan.
She had to stop in Shanghai for a short time.
But the officials in Shanghai said her Indian passport was not valid because they believe Arunachal Pradesh is part of China.
They kept her passport, made fun of her, and did not let her board her flight to Japan.
She had to stay at the airport for 18 hours without proper food or information.
She had to contact the Indian consulate to help her leave Shanghai.
She is asking the Indian government to talk to China about this and to make sure it doesn't happen to others.
Pema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian-origin UK resident from Arunachal Pradesh, was detained at Shanghai Pudong Airport for 18 hours.
Chinese immigration officials refused to accept her Indian passport, claiming Arunachal Pradesh is part of China.
She was mocked and laughed at by immigration officials and China Eastern Airlines staff.
Her passport was withheld, and she was prevented from boarding her onward flight to Japan.
She had to contact the Indian Consulate in Shanghai for assistance and eventually left Shanghai late at night.
- Who
- Pema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian-origin UK resident from Arunachal Pradesh
- What
- Detained and harassed at Shanghai Pudong Airport for 18 hours due to her Indian passport listing Arunachal Pradesh as her place of birth
- Where
- Shanghai Pudong Airport, China
- When
- November 21, 2025
- Why
- Chinese immigration officials claimed Arunachal Pradesh is part of China, making her passport invalid
China's Stance
India's Stance
Territorial Claim
China's Stance
Arunachal Pradesh is part of China, making the passport invalid.
India's Stance
Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India, and the passport is valid.
Treatment of Travelers
China's Stance
Chinese officials acted within their rights to enforce territorial claims.
India's Stance
The treatment of the Indian citizen was a direct insult to India's sovereignty and should be addressed diplomatically.
Key facts
- Name
- Pema Wangjom Thongdok
- Nationality
- Indian-origin UK resident
- Place of Birth
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Travel Route
- London to Japan via Shanghai
- Date of Incident
- November 21, 2025
- Duration of Detention
- 18 hours
- Airport
- Shanghai Pudong Airport
- Reason for Detention
- Arunachal Pradesh claimed as part of China
- Consular Intervention
- Indian Consulate in Shanghai
- Demands
- Diplomatic action, accountability, compensation, and assurances for future travel
Timeline
India snubs China's Arunachal Pradesh name change, tensions rise.
Then, Shanghai detains Indian woman, rejects passport, claims state as Chinese.
Quotes
Prema Wangjom Thongdok
Arunachal Pradesh-born Indian-origin UK resident and financial adviser
“They were insisting that Arunachal Pradesh is a part of China, and that therefore my passport is not valid. I asked them what laws state this or what written document specifies that such a passport is invalid. One of them even said that I should get a Chinese passport, because I am Chinese. They were mocking me. I was held at the airport for 18 hours, after I had already travelled 12 hours from London. They kept my passport and didn’t let me leave.”
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NDTV
“I told them there is no way I would stay here for this long without you guys giving me a proper, definitive written document which says that the Indian passport for holders and residents of Arunachal is invalid... I told them I needed to speak to a lawyer, and so they gave me the landline, which I used to contact my friends in London... who helped me get numbers for the Indian embassy in Shanghai, and that's when I contacted them.”
NDTV
Mao Ning
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson.
“We learnt that China’s border inspection authorities have gone through the whole process according to the laws and regulations, and fully protected the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned. Zangnan is China’s territory. China never acknowledged the so-called Arunachal Pradesh.”
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indianexpress.com
“The woman was not subjected to any compulsory measures, detainment or harassment as alleged by her.”
indianexpress.com
Pema Khandu
Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh
“Subjecting her despite a valid Indian passport to humiliation and racial mockery 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. I am confident that the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, will take up this matter urgently so that such incidents are not repeated.”
CNBC TV 18
thehansindia.com
“I am deeply shocked by the unacceptable treatment of Ms Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a proud Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, by Chinese immigration authorities at Shanghai Pudong Airport.”
thehansindia.com
Unidentified officials in the external affairs ministry
Government officials from the Ministry of External Affairs.
“It was stressed that the passenger had been detained on ludicrous grounds. Arunachal Pradesh is indisputably Indian territory, and its residents are perfectly entitled to hold and travel with Indian passports.”
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Pema Wangjom Thongdok
UK-based Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh
“I was held at Shanghai airport for over 18 hours on 21st November 2025 by China immigration and China Eastern Airlines. They called my Indian passport invalid because my birthplace is Arunachal Pradesh, which they claimed is Chinese territory.”
CNBC TV 18
thehansindia.com
Sources
Arunachal Is Part Of China: Indian Woman Born In Arunachal 'Harassed' By Shanghai Airport Immigration Officials
China denies harassing Arunachal woman at Shanghai airport, India issues 'strong demarche': Here's what we know
How China's Social Media Curbs Worsened Arunachal Woman's Airport Ordeal
‘Arunachal is a part of China’: How a 3 hr layover in Shanghai became an 18 hr harrowing ordeal for an Indian woman
CM Khandu slams China after Arunachal woman harassed, detained for 18 hours at Shanghai airport
‘Arunachal, not valid…’: Chinese officials refuse to accept woman’s passport, detain her for 18-hr
‘Arunachal is part of China’: Woman shares 18-Hour detention at Shanghai airport
Khandu slams China after Arunachal woman detained 18 hrs at Shanghai airport
"Arunachal In China": Indian Woman's Post On Shanghai Airport Harassment
Indian woman detained at China airport over Arunachal Pradesh birthplace on passport
Khandu condemns China after Arunachal woman detained at Shanghai Airport
