A woman from Arunachal Pradesh, living in the UK, recently faced a troubling experience at Shanghai airport. Prema Wangjom Thongdok was detained for nearly 18 hours after immigration officials rejected her Indian passport. The issue arose because her birthplace is listed as Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as its own territory.
Prema was on her way to Japan from London when her three-hour layover turned chaotic. She reported that Chinese officials declared her passport “invalid,” insisting she acknowledge their claim over Arunachal Pradesh. In a detailed post on social media, she shared her ordeal, stating she was denied clear explanations and basic amenities while confined to the transit area.
Despite holding a valid visa for Japan, her passport was confiscated, and she was blocked from boarding her connecting flight. Fortunately, she managed to contact the Indian consulate in Shanghai, who assisted her in catching a later flight.
In her communications with Indian officials, Prema described the detention as an “insult to India’s sovereignty.” She urged the Indian government to address this situation with Beijing and to seek accountability and compensation for her distress.
This incident highlights a long-standing dispute between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh, which China refers to as “South Tibet.” This conflict has often led to diplomatic tension, with China taking various actions to assert its claim. For instance, China has renamed villages in Arunachal Pradesh and objected to Indian officials visiting the region, measures that have strained bilateral relations.
Moreover, the practice of issuing stapled visas to Arunachal residents instead of stamped ones has caused further stirs, as many residents and officials have been barred from entering China. Past experiences show that these claims and practices have ignited public anger in Arunachal Pradesh and prompted diplomatic protests from India.
Experts have pointed out that these actions reflect a broader trend of China asserting its territorial claims internationally, and incidents like Prema’s could signify a worrying shift. There are concerns that the stapled visa logic may expand to international transit areas, impacting more travelers from Arunachal Pradesh.
As this story unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the complex and sometimes hostile nature of international relations regarding territorial sovereignty.
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ARUNACHAL, CHINA, ARUNACHAL PRADESH, INDIAN PASSPORT, ITANAGAR, "I WAS HELD AT SHANGHAI AIRPORT FOR OVER 18 HOURS ON 21ST NOVEMBER 2025
