Archive · 26 Nov 2025
India-China Dispute Over Arunachal Pradesh Detention
An Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was held for 18 hours at a Chinese airport.
She said Chinese officials wouldn't accept her Indian passport and made fun of her nationality.
China's government said Arunachal Pradesh is part of China and that the woman wasn't really detained.
They also said the airport gave her a place to rest and food.
The woman was on her way to Japan when this happened.
India protested to China, saying Arunachal Pradesh is part of India and its people should be able to travel freely.
China says Arunachal Pradesh is part of its territory and has been renaming places there.
The woman said she was humiliated and mocked by the officials.
The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and the Congress party in the state also condemned the incident.
An Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was detained for 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
Chinese officials allegedly refused to recognize her Indian passport and mocked her nationality.
China claims Arunachal Pradesh is part of its territory and denies the woman was detained.
The airline provided the woman with resting facilities and meals during the delay.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning asserted that all procedures were carried out legally and impartially.
- Who
- Prema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh, and Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning
- What
- Detention and subsequent claims by China regarding Arunachal Pradesh
- When
- November 21, 2025
- Where
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport, China
- Why
- Chinese officials allegedly refused to recognize her Indian passport, citing Arunachal Pradesh as part of China
- Location of Incident
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport
- Duration of Detention
- 18 hours
- Chinese Claim
- Arunachal Pradesh is part of China
- Indian Woman's Name
- Prema Wangjom Thongdok
- Chinese Official's Name
- Mao Ning
- Chinese Official's Title
- Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
- Airline Provision
- Resting facilities and meals
- India's Response
- Lodged a strong diplomatic protest with Beijing
- China's Stand on Arunachal Pradesh
- Refers to it as Zangnan or South Tibet, disputes the McMahon Line
- Arunachal Pradesh CM
- Pema Khandu
- Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee President
- Bosiram Siram
Sources
'Never Recognised Arunachal': China Reacts To Indian Woman's Detention At Shanghai Airport
China Rejects Harassment Allegations By Arunachal Woman, Reasserts Claim Over The State
‘Arunachal our territory…illegally set up by India’, China reacts to Indian woman’s detention
Why China’s latest Arunachal provocation matters: Chellaney and Trigunayat explain
China doubles down on illegal claim, says Arunachal Pradesh illegally set up by India, denies charges of harassment by Indian woman
China denies allegation of harassment of Indian woman at Shanghai airport
‘Insult to India’: Congress slams Centre after China reacts to Arunachal woman’s ‘detention’ at Shanghai airport
‘Integral and inalienable part’: India hits back at Beijing for calling Arunachal Pradesh China’s part
India slams China over ‘arbitrary detention’ of Arunachal woman in Shanghai: ‘Still no explanation’
Arunachal Pradesh integral part of India: MEA rejects China's response over passport row
‘Integral, inalienable part of India’: New Delhi shuts down Beijing’s Arunachal Pradesh claim
'Arunachal Is an Integral Part of India, China Cannot Change This Reality': MEA Delivers Strong Message to Beijing
'Arunachal Pradesh inalienable part of India': MEA rejects China’s claim after detention of citizen at Shanghai airport
