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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An Indian-origin UK resident woman of Arunachal Pradesh origin has alleged that immigration officials at China’s Shanghai Airport refused to accept her Indian passport and harassed her by detaining her for hours. The woman says that her place of birth was Arunachal Pradesh mentioned in the passport, so the officials declared the passport ‘illegal’ and said that ‘Arunachal Pradesh is a part of China.’

Passport stopped as ‘illegal’
Pima Wangjom Thongdok was flying from London to Japan on November 21 and had a three-hour transit at Shanghai Pudong Airport. According to the allegation, the officials at the immigration counter, after seeing his passport, said that it was not valid because Arunachal Pradesh was written in the place of birth. When he asked the reason, he got the answer – ‘Arunachal is a part of China, hence your passport is invalid.’

Allegations of detention and torture for 18 hours
Pima told that the small process of transit turned into an ordeal of 18 hours. His passport was confiscated and he was not allowed to board onward flights, even though his visa was valid. They were denied access to food, information and basic facilities. China Eastern Airlines and immigration staff made fun of him. They were even taunted by saying ‘get a Chinese passport’. She said that last year also she had transited through Shanghai and there was no problem then. He had even already confirmed with the Chinese Embassy in London that Indian passengers can travel without any hassle in transit.

Pressure of new ticket, financial loss
Pima claims that she was repeatedly pressurized by saying that she should buy a new ticket only from China Eastern, only then her passport would be returned. During this time, she could not book the ticket again, could not change the terminal, and even craved for food. There was also financial loss due to missed flights and cancellation of hotel bookings.

Indian Consulate provided relief
After being stranded for several hours, she was able to contact the Indian Consulate in Shanghai with the help of a friend in the UK. After that the Indian authorities intervened and got him released from there by a late night flight.

Demand for action from Indian Government
Pima has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior officials saying that the treatment meted to her is a ‘direct insult to the sovereignty of India and the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh’.

He has demanded that the Indian government should raise this issue with Beijing on immigration and disciplinary action should be taken against the airline staff and compensation for financial loss. He also said that it should be ensured that Indian citizens of Arunachal Pradesh do not face such problems while traveling in future.