Arunachal Woman Denied Entry at Shanghai Airport Over Passport

An 18-hour ordeal unfolded at Shanghai Pudong International Airport when a UK-based Indian national, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, was detained due to her Indian passport listing Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace. Chinese immigration authorities reportedly declared her passport invalid, claiming Arunachal Pradesh as Chinese territory. Thongdok, who was transiting from London to Japan, faced alleged mockery from officials and China Eastern Airlines staff. She reported being denied food and access to information, including Google, which is restricted in China. Despite holding a valid Japanese visa, she was refused boarding on her connecting flight. Following intervention by Indian diplomatic missions, including the Indian consulates in Shanghai and Beijing, Thongdok was eventually released and managed to rebook her travel via Thailand. India has lodged a strong protest with Beijing, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is unequivocally Indian territory and its residents are fully entitled to travel on Indian passports. The incident is seen as a direct challenge to India’s sovereignty, prompting demands for compensation.