A girl from Arunachal Pradesh recalled an incident on the Shanghai Airport. She stated that she was held there for greater than 18 hours on Friday because the employees referred to as her Indian passport invalid, claiming that Arunachal was part of Chinese language territory.
The girl, recognized as Pema Wang Thongdok, shared her ordeal on the social media platform X (previously Twitter). In a put up, she described the misery she confronted whereas being held on the airport. In line with Pema, the employees questioned her identification and her homeland, insisting that her passport was invalid.
In her put up, Pema tagged the Prime Minister’s Workplace, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, urging them to look into the matter.
“Pema Khandu, Kiren Rijiju, Prime Minister’s Workplace, I used to be held at Shanghai airport for over 18 hrs on twenty first Nov, 2025 on claims by China immigration & @chinaeasternair. They referred to as my Indian passport invalid as my birthplace is Arunachal Pradesh which they claimed is Chinese language territory,” the put up learn.
@pemakhandu @kirenrijuju @PMOIndia I used to be held at Shanghai airport for over 18 hrs on twenty first Nov, 2025 on claims by China immigration & @chinaeasternair They referred to as my Indian passport invalid as my birthplace is Arunachal Pradesh which they claimed is Chinese language territory. @cnnbrk
— Pem Wang Thongdok (@wang_pem) November 23, 2025
Prema from Arunachal Pradesh claimed that Chinese language immigration officers at Shanghai Pudong Airport declared her Indian passport invalid and delayed her journey to Japan.
Talking to ANI, She stated, “After I tried to query them and ask them what the problem was, they stated, ‘Arunachal will not be a part of India’ and began mocking and laughing and saying issues like ‘you need to apply for the Chinese language passport, you are Chinese language, you are not Indian.”
“I’m an Indian citizen residing within the UK for about 14 years, and I used to be travelling from London to Japan by way of a transit in Shanghai… One of many officers from the Chinese language immigration came visiting and singled me out of the queue. I requested her what was taking place, and he or she went on to say, ‘Arunachal- not India, China-China, your visa will not be acceptable. Your passport is invalid’…” she added.
“After I tried to query them and ask them what the problem was, they stated, ‘Arunachal will not be a part of India’ and began mocking and laughing and saying issues like ‘you need to apply for the Chinese language passport, you are Chinese language, you are not Indian’… I’ve transited by way of Shanghai prior to now with no points in any respect,” she shared the ordeal.
#WATCH | Prema Wangjom Thongdok from Arunachal Pradesh claims that Chinese language immigration officers at Shanghai Pudong Airport declared her Indian passport invalid and delayed her journey to Japan.
She says, “… After I tried to query them and ask them what the problem was, they… pic.twitter.com/onL9v1Oe0j
— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2025
Netizens’ Response
The put up rapidly gained consideration, with many customers expressing anger, concern, and solidarity. A number of folks demanded an official response from the Indian authorities, calling the incident disrespectful.
“That is unacceptable @MEAIndia take some motion,” an X person commented underneath the put up.
“Can we act on this now,” one other X person commented and tagged Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

