Archive · 8 Dec 2025
India seeks China's assurance on Indian travelers
An Indian woman was detained at a Chinese airport because her passport said she was born in a place that China also claims.
India is upset and wants China to promise that this won't happen to other Indian travelers.
The woman was held for 18 hours even though she was just passing through.
India says this is not fair, but China says they were just following their rules.
India thinks the place is part of their country, but China disagrees and calls it a different name.
India is telling its people to be careful when traveling to or through China.
India seeks assurance from China that Indian nationals transiting through Chinese airports will not be targeted, detained, or harassed.
An Indian citizen was detained at Shanghai Pudong Airport for 18 hours due to her passport listing Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace.
China disputes India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh, claiming it as 'South Tibet'.
India describes the detention as 'arbitrary' and a violation of international air travel conventions.
China's foreign ministry refutes the harassment charge, stating that checks were carried out in accordance with laws and regulations.
- Who
- Indian national Pema Wangjom Thongdok and the Indian government
- What
- Detention of an Indian national at Shanghai Airport and India's request for assurances from China
- When
- The incident occurred on November 21, and India's statement was made on Monday, December 8
- Where
- Shanghai Pudong Airport, China
- Why
- Due to the mention of Arunachal Pradesh as the birthplace in the Indian national's passport, a region claimed by China
- Incident Location
- Shanghai Pudong Airport
- Detained Indian National
- Pema Wangjom Thongdok
- Detention Duration
- 18 hours
- Disputed Region
- Arunachal Pradesh
- China's Claim
- South Tibet
- India's Stance
- Integral and inalienable part of India
- China's Response
- Checks carried out in accordance with laws and regulations
Sources
Need assurance Indians will not be ‘selectively targeted or detained’ at airports: India to China
India seeks assurance from Beijing that it won’t target Indians in transit through China
Expect China to assure that Indian travellers will not be selectively targetted, detained or harassed: MEA
India seeks safety assurances after Chinese officials declare Arunachal woman ‘not Indian’
Indians told to exercise caution during China travel
'Assure Indian travellers won’t be targeted': MEA seeks China’s assurance after Shanghai incident
New Delhi issues China travel caution; Beijing set for online visa rollout for Indians - Telegraph India
Govt asks Beijing not to harass Indian nationals at Chinese airports
