India has strongly condemned China’s recent “arbitrary actions,” citing the detention of an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai airport as a detrimental move that could hinder efforts to rebuild trust. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson emphasized that such incidents are counterproductive to normalizing bilateral relations and underscored that maintaining peace along the border is crucial for the overall development of India-China ties.
Arunachal Pradesh, the MEA reiterated, is an “integral and inalienable” part of India, a fact that China’s assertions cannot alter. The detained individual, Pema Wang Thongdok, reported being held for 18 hours on November 21 after Chinese immigration officials questioned her Indian passport due to her birthplace being Arunachal Pradesh.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously rejected the allegations, claiming their actions were regulatory and reiterating their claims over the Indian state. The MEA, however, explicitly rejected this response, stating that such “arbitrary actions” undermine the ongoing efforts by both nations towards mutual understanding and relationship normalization.
The spokesperson reiterated India’s clear and consistent stance that Arunachal Pradesh is an indisputable part of India. He also highlighted that peace and tranquility in border regions are a fundamental prerequisite for the continued and overall progress of the India-China bilateral relationship. He added that collaborative efforts have been made to maintain this peace, paving the way for people-centric engagements.
Relations between India and China have been strained since the 2020 border standoff. While recent months have seen steps towards normalization, including disengagement from conflict points and the resumption of direct flights, incidents like this detention cast a shadow over these positive developments.