India on Tuesday responded to China’s remarks on the detention of a girl from Arunachal Pradesh in Shanghai, reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable a part of India — a reality that’s self-evident.
Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned, “We now have seen statements made by the Chinese language Ministry of Overseas Affairs relating to the arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, who was holding a legitimate passport and was transiting by means of Shanghai Worldwide Airport on her onward journey to Japan.”
He added, “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable a part of India, and it is a self-evident reality. No quantity of denial by the Chinese language facet goes to vary this indeniable actuality.”
In response to media queries relating to statements made by the Chinese language Overseas Ministry, Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “We now have seen statements made by the Chinese language Ministry of Overseas Affairs relating to the arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal… https://t.co/G0CC3a81lM pic.twitter.com/j73pihKqyO — ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2025
How the Row Started
The diplomatic row intensified after Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh who lives within the UK, was travelling from London to Japan with a stopover in Shanghai. Chinese language immigration officers allegedly pulled her out of the queue, declared her Indian passport invalid, and stored her on the airport for 18 hours.
“They mentioned ‘Arunachal will not be a part of India’ and began mocking and laughing. They instructed me ‘it is best to apply for a Chinese language passport; you’re Chinese language, you’re not Indian,’” Thongdok mentioned.
India’s Sturdy Protest
Jaiswal mentioned Chinese language authorities violated worldwide air journey norms and even their very own transit laws that enable passengers to remain as much as 24 hours with out a visa.
India lodged formal complaints in each New Delhi and Beijing the identical day. Officers from the Indian consulate in Shanghai reached the airport inside an hour to help Thongdok and offered her with meals.
China Denies Harassment
China denied allegations that the girl was detained or harassed on the airport.
Chinese language Overseas Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning mentioned border officers adopted normal procedures, ensured the passenger’s rights have been protected, and didn’t topic her to any coercive measures. She mentioned the airline offered meals and relaxation amenities.
Within the case of a girl from Arunachal Pradesh transiting in China, Spox of the Ministry of Overseas Affairs of China, Mao Ning, says, “Zangnan is China’s territory. The Chinese language facet has by no means recognised the so-called “Arunachal Pradesh” illegally arrange by India. On the person… pic.twitter.com/UH3cDEV9Kw — ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2025
China Reasserts Territorial Declare
Chinese language Overseas Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning additionally reiterated China’s long-standing declare over Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing refers to as “Zangnan,” insisting it’s a part of Chinese language territory and that it doesn’t recognise the Indian state, calling it illegally established.