India has issued a resolute statement to China, affirming that Arunachal Pradesh is an inseparable and integral part of India. This firm stance comes in response to statements made by China regarding the detention of an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai’s international airport. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson emphasized that India’s claim over Arunachal Pradesh is a self-evident fact that China’s denials cannot alter.
The incident involved a resident of Arunachal Pradesh, who was traveling from the UK to Japan with a transit stop in Shanghai. Reports indicate that Chinese immigration officials detained the individual, questioned the validity of her Indian passport, and allegedly made remarks asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is not part of India. She was reportedly held for approximately 18 hours.
India has formally protested this action, highlighting that it potentially violated international air travel norms and China’s own transit regulations. The Indian consulate in Shanghai was reportedly alerted and provided assistance to the traveler. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry has denied allegations of harassment, stating that border officials followed standard procedures and ensured the passenger’s rights. China has also reiterated its territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers to as “Zangnan.”