Arunachal Pradesh Sovereignty Issue: On November 21, 2025, what was meant to be a routine transit at Shanghai Pudong International Airport spiraled into an 18-hour ordeal for Prema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh residing in the UK for 14 years.
En route from London to Japan on a China Eastern Airlines flight, Thongdok was singled out by immigration officials who declared her valid Indian passport “invalid” solely because her place of birth was listed as Arunachal Pradesh—a state China illicitly claims as “South Tibet” or Zangnan. The incident, which unfolded amid escalating India-China border sensitivities, has ignited widespread outrage and prompted a swift diplomatic rebuke from New Delhi.
Thongdok, in a detailed video interview shared by ANI, recounted the shock of being pulled from the queue and subjected to mockery, highlighting the personal toll of geopolitical tensions on ordinary citizens. Her story has gone viral, amassing thousands of views and reactions on X, where users from the Northeast and beyond voiced solidarity under hashtags like #ArunachalIsIndia.
The Incident: Mockery and Detention at Pudong
Thongdok described how, upon landing, an immigration officer approached her directly: “She said, ‘Arunachal not India, China-China, your visa is not acceptable. Your passport is invalid.’” As she sought clarification, the response escalated into ridicule: Officials allegedly laughed, pointing at her documents and chanting, “Arunachal is not part of India,” while suggesting, “You should apply for the Chinese passport, you’re Chinese, you’re not Indian.”
Even China Eastern Airlines staff joined in, speaking in Chinese and gesturing dismissively, turning a simple transit into a scene of public humiliation.
Isolated without immediate access to her phone or family, Thongdok endured hours of uncertainty, unable to board her connecting flight despite a valid Japanese visa. “I have transited through Shanghai in the past with no issues at all,” she noted, underscoring the targeted nature of the harassment. The ordeal forced her to purchase a new ticket at additional cost, amplifying the emotional and financial strain.
Swift Intervention: Indian Embassies to the Rescue
In a testament to India’s robust consular network, Thongdok managed to contact the Indian embassies in Shanghai and Beijing. Within an hour, consular officials arrived at the airport, provided her with food and water, and engaged in firm negotiations with Chinese authorities. Their intervention secured her release and facilitated her departure on a later flight, allowing her to finally reach Japan after the grueling 18-hour delay.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) wasted no time, issuing a strong demarche to the Chinese embassy in New Delhi on the same day. Government sources described the actions as “needless hurdles to normalcy” and a “direct challenge to India’s sovereignty,” reaffirming that Arunachal Pradesh remains an “indisputable and integral part of India.”
This response echoes India’s firm stance amid ongoing border disputes, including recent infrastructure developments in Arunachal.
Broader Implications: Echoes of Border Tensions
The episode has reverberated across social media and political circles, with figures like Congress leaders condemning it as an “insult to every Indian” and calling for accountability. Northeast communities, often at the forefront of such sovereignty debates, have rallied in support, viewing it as yet another provocation in China’s pattern of renaming places in Arunachal and issuing “stapled visas” to its residents.
Analysts note this as a low-level escalation tactic, potentially linked to India’s recent resumption of direct flights to China, underscoring the fragility of bilateral ties. Internationally, the incident draws parallels to similar harassments faced by Taiwanese or Tibetan passport holders, highlighting authoritarian overreach in immigration enforcement.
As Thongdok reflected, “That was a very humiliating, questionable behaviour,” her voice amplifies calls for travelers from border states to exercise caution during transits in China.
Reflections on True Identity: Transcending Earthly Divisions
In the face of such border-spanning indignities, where maps drawn by power clash with the unyielding truth of one’s heritage, ancient wisdom invites us to anchor in the eternal sovereignty of the soul, far beyond the illusions of territorial strife.
As the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 71) illuminates, true peace arises from renouncing ego-driven attachments and embracing devotion to the Supreme, fostering a universal brotherhood that dissolves artificial divides be they lines on a map or barbs from authority.
This profound insight, as shared in discourses on scriptural paths to liberation, reminds us that genuine identity blooms from spiritual alignment and selfless service, empowering individuals like Thongdok to rise above humiliation, affirming not just national unity but the divine oneness that liberates from cycles of conflict and rebirth, guiding humanity toward harmony rooted in enlightened truth.
Also Read: China Eastern Airlines Resumes Shanghai‑Delhi Route from November
FAQs: Arunachal Pradesh Sovereignty Issue
1. Who is Prema Wangjom Thongdok and what happened to her?
Prema is an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh living in the UK. She was detained for 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong Airport on Nov 21, 2025, during transit to Japan, with officials declaring her passport invalid over Arunachal claims.
2. Why did Chinese officials target her passport?
They cited her birthplace as Arunachal Pradesh, mockingly claiming it as Chinese territory (“Zangnan”) and telling her she was “Chinese, not Indian,” despite her valid documents.
3. How was the situation resolved?
After contacting Indian embassies, consular officials arrived within an hour, negotiated her release, provided aid, and ensured she boarded a later flight.
What was India’s response?
The MEA issued a strong demarche to China, calling the actions a sovereignty violation and reaffirming Arunachal as integral to India.
4. Has this happened before to Arunachal residents?
Yes, China has a history of denying visas or harassing Arunachal natives, including “stapled visas,” as part of its territorial assertions.
5. Where can I find spiritual solace in such geopolitical tensions?
Teachings on divine unity and devotion at Satlok Ashram offer profound insights join their resources for peace beyond borders.
