Archive · 25 Nov 2025
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
- When
- November 21, 2025
- Where
- Shanghai Pudong Airport, China
- 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.
- 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
Sources
‘Arunachal, not valid…’: Chinese officials refuse to accept woman’s passport, detain her for 18-hr
‘Arunachal is a part of China’: How a 3 hr layover in Shanghai became an 18 hr harrowing ordeal for an Indian woman
"Arunachal In China": Indian Woman's Post On Shanghai Airport Harassment
‘Arunachal is part of China’: Woman shares 18-Hour detention at Shanghai airport
Arunachal Is Part Of China: Indian Woman Born In Arunachal 'Harassed' By Shanghai Airport Immigration Officials
Khandu slams China after Arunachal woman detained 18 hrs at Shanghai airport
How China's Social Media Curbs Worsened Arunachal Woman's Airport Ordeal
China denies harassing Arunachal woman at Shanghai airport, India issues 'strong demarche': Here's what we know
CM Khandu slams China after Arunachal woman harassed, detained for 18 hours at Shanghai airport
Indian woman detained at China airport over Arunachal Pradesh birthplace on passport
China denies allegation of harassment of Arunachal woman at Shanghai airport
