Overview
- Pema Wangjom Thongdok alleges Shanghai Pudong officials held her about 18 hours on Nov. 21 after declaring her Indian passport invalid because it lists Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace.
- She says her passport was confiscated, she was denied food and access to facilities, blocked from her onward flight to Japan despite a valid visa, and pressured to buy a China Eastern ticket.
- India issued a strong demarche in Beijing and New Delhi and said the actions appeared to contravene the Chicago and Montreal Conventions; the Indian Consulate in Shanghai assisted her departure.
- China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the account, stating there was no detention or harassment, that procedures followed laws and regulations, and reiterating its claim over what it calls Zangnan.
- Thongdok has sought accountability and compensation from authorities in India, as the episode revives concerns tied to earlier practices like stapled visas and raises questions about transit treatment of Arunachali travelers.