India has expressed strong objection to China’s attitude towards the detention of an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh during transit at Shanghai Pudong Airport. This incident has come to light at a time when both the countries are making efforts towards normalizing their strained relations.

What is the matter?

According to government sources, the woman was stopped during a transit halt at Shanghai Pudong Airport and her Indian passport was declared ‘invalid’. India lodged its strong protest on this. The Indian Consulate in Shanghai has also intervened and helped the woman.

India has clearly told China that the woman was detained without any valid basis. Also reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and the people here have full right to travel on Indian passport. India described China’s action as a violation of international civil aviation rules, especially the Chicago and Montreal Conventions.

The woman was stopped for about 18 hours

The woman, Pema Wangjom Thongdok, said that while traveling from London to Japan on November 21, she was stopped for about 18 hours in Shanghai transit, interrogated and repeatedly subjected to insulting behavior. Chinese immigration officials declared his passport invalid because Arunachal Pradesh was written as his birthplace. He was reportedly told that Arunachal Pradesh was part of China and was even advised to apply for a Chinese passport.

According to the passenger, his passport was confiscated, he was stopped from onward flights despite having a valid Japanese visa, and he was pressured to buy a new ticket. The woman also suffered financial loss due to this.

What did India say?

On this matter, India said that this action of China is an unnecessary hindrance in the ongoing efforts towards stabilizing bilateral relations. India described the incident as an insult to its sovereignty and sought accountability, compensation and an assurance from China that such behavior would not be repeated with travelers from Arunachal in future. At the same time, after the intervention of the Indian Consulate, the woman got permission to travel further late in the night.

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While the relationship between India and Canada was recently shown to improve, now a new incident has shocked these efforts. In the British Columbia province of Canada, radical Sikh elements have opened a symbolic “embassy” called Republic of Khalistan.

This alleged embassy has been established in a part of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara located in Surrey. The inauguration of this embassy coincides with the preparations for the ‘Khalistan referendum’ organized by a banned organization called ‘Sikhs for Justice’ (SFJ). Indian security agencies are keeping a close watch on this development.

Impact on India-Canada diplomacy
The dialogue between India and Canada recently may be affected again. During the G7 Summit, the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the new Prime Minister of Canada Mark Karney was considered to be the beginning of the improvement in relationships. But opening the symbolic embassy of Khalistan in Surrey can weaken this effort.

Controversy arose after Nijjar’s death
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government in the murder of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which was completely rejected by India. However, in recent times, both countries indicated improvement in relationships.

India’s old objection
India has been continuously telling Canada not to allow its land to be used for anti-India activities. Especially India’s concerns about the activities of Khalistani organizations have been for decades. From the Air India bomb blast in 1985, India has warned Canada many times on this issue.

Canadian Intelligence Agency report
Canadian intelligence agency CSIS first admitted in its report in June 2025 that Khalistani, who was living in Canada, has been involved in violent violent activities with political purpose. The report said that no such attack was found in 2024, but Khalistani elements are active towards funding, making plans and carrying out violence on foreign land.

Four arrested in Nijjar murder case
Four people were arrested in May 2024 in the case of Nijjar’s murder and accused of conspiring to murder and murder. This case is still under investigation.