Overview
- MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asked Beijing to guarantee that Indians transiting Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed.
- India advised its citizens to exercise due discretion when traveling to or transiting through China following the November 21 episode at Shanghai Pudong Airport.
- New Delhi lodged a demarche after Prema (Pema) Wangjom Thongdok said officials questioned her passport due to her Arunachal Pradesh birthplace and held her for about 18 hours.
- China denied any detention or harassment, stating border checks complied with laws and the person’s lawful rights were protected.
- Indian officials said the actions violated international civil aviation norms and China’s 24-hour visa-free transit rules, with the dispute casting a shadow on the 2025 thaw that resumed flights and visas as China moves to launch an online visa system in India on December 22.