Apply for a Chinese passport: UK-based Indian woman claims 18-hour harassment at Shanghai Airport over Arunachal issue

Thongdok, who was travelling from London to Japan with a transit stop in Shanghai, told ANI that immigration officials declared her passport “invalid” and claimed her Indian visa was “not acceptable”.

She alleged the officials mocked her and insisted that “Arunachal is not part of India”, adding that she was told she should “apply for a Chinese passport”.

She said airline staff and additional immigration personnel also made comments referring to Arunachal Pradesh as part of China. “It was very humiliating,” she said, noting that she had previously transited through Shanghai without any difficulty.

According to Thongdok, her situation was resolved after she contacted Indian missions in Shanghai and Beijing. Indian officials arrived at the airport, assisted her with food and facilitated her departure.

“My Indian passport is a valid document,” she said, adding that she was eventually allowed to leave for Japan after an 18-hour delay.

India has consistently rejected China’s territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh. The incident comes at a time when New Delhi and Beijing have reported recent improvements in bilateral engagement following interactions between senior leaders.

Arunachal Pradesh CM says he feels 'deeply shocked'

Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu reacted to the spisode and wrote on X: "I am deeply shocked by the unacceptable treatment of Ms. Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a proud Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, by Chinese immigration authorities at Shanghai Pudong Airport. Subjecting her despite a valid Indian passport to humiliation and racial mockery is appalling. Arunachal Pradesh is, and will always be an integral part of India. Any insinuation otherwise is baseless and offensive."

He said such a conduct violates international norms.

"Such conduct violates international norms and is an affront to the dignity of our citizens. I am confident that the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India will take up this matter urgently that such incidents are not repeated," he said.