New Delhi [India], December 8 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday sought assurances from China that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be “selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed” and that Beijing will respect international air travel regulations.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also issued a travel advisory, urging Indians travelling to or transiting through China to “exercise due discretion.” The advisory follows the detention of an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Wangjom Thongdok, at Shanghai Pudong International Airport for 18 hours last month. Chinese officials had claimed her Indian passport was invalid, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is part of China.
“We fully share your concern following the recent incident at Shanghai airport. We expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed, and that regulations governing international air travel will be respected,” Jaiswal said.
Thongdok was travelling from London to Japan on November 21 when she was singled out, humiliated, and detained by Chinese immigration officials, who questioned her nationality and mocked her passport.
India firmly rejected China’s claims over Arunachal Pradesh, reiterating that the northeastern state is an “integral and inalienable part of India.” Jaiswal noted that the government lodged a strong demarche with Chinese authorities in both Beijing and New Delhi following the incident.
“We want to say that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and no amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality,” Jaiswal said, adding that the matter has been raised at a high level with Chinese authorities.
The MEA also strongly rejected China’s remarks on Arunachal Pradesh’s status and expressed grave concern over the “arbitrary detention” of the Indian national. China, however, denied allegations of harassment, stating that the individual’s lawful rights were “fully protected” and that no compulsory measures were taken.
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