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India Demands China Assurances After Arunachal Traveler's 18-Hour Airport Detention

India has officially called on China to provide guarantees that Indian travelers won't face harassment or arbitrary detention at its airports. This demand follows a disturbing incident where an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh was held for 18 hours during a layover. Chinese authorities allegedly refused to recognize her Indian passport, stoking longstanding territorial tensions. New Delhi asserts this action breaches both international norms and China's own transit regulations.

Key Points: India Seeks China Assurances on Safety for Indian Travelers

  • India demands formal assurances from China over airport safety for its citizens
  • Incident involved an 18-hour detention of a traveler from Arunachal Pradesh
  • Chinese officials allegedly refused her passport, claiming Arunachal is part of China
  • India states the detention violates international air travel conventions and Chinese rules
2 min read

Expect China to assure that Indian travellers will not be selectively targetted, detained or harassed: MEA

India demands China assure Indian citizens won't be targeted or detained at airports, following an 18-hour detention of a traveler from Arunachal Pradesh.

Expect China to assure that Indian travellers will not be selectively targetted, detained or harassed: MEA
"We expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens... will not be selectively targetted, arbitrarily detained or harassed. - Randhir Jaiswal, MEA Spokesperson"

New Delhi, Dec 8

India on Monday said that it expects the authorities in China to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targetted, arbitrarily detained or harassed.

The strong statement came after an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh was arbitrarily detained by Chinese authorities at the Shanghai International Airport last month, an incident which was termed by New Delhi as a clear violation of international norms and bilateral understanding.

"We expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targetted, arbitrarily detained or harassed and that regulations governing international air travel would be respected by the Chinese side," Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Monday.

"The MEA would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to China or while transiting through the country," he added.

Prema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian citizen hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, had alleged that she was detained for 18 hours by the Chinese immigration officials during what was supposed to be a brief three-hour layover while travelling from London to Japan on November 21.

She said that the officials refused to accept her Indian passport, claiming her birthplace, Arunachal Pradesh, was "part of China".

Following the shocking incident, India had strongly taken up the matter with the Chinese side.

"Chinese authorities have still not been able to explain their actions, which are in violation of several conventions governing international air travel. The actions by the Chinese authorities also violate their own regulations that allow visa free transit up to 24 hours for nationals of all countries," the MEA stated on November 25.

New Delhi has also continuously reiterated India's consistent position that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of the country.

"This is a fact beyond dispute. No amount of denial or misrepresentation by China can alter this reality," read a statement issued by the MEA.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who travels frequently for work, this is deeply concerning. A transit stop should not turn into an ordeal. The Chinese authorities need to clarify their own visa-free transit rules and apply them uniformly. This selective targeting creates unnecessary tension.
P
Priya S
Shocking incident! My heart goes out to Prema Wangjom Thongdok. No one should have to go through that. The MEA's advisory is crucial—we must be very careful while planning travel through China. Hope our government continues to take a firm stand on this.
R
Rohit P
While I fully support our government's stance, I hope the MEA's statements are backed by concrete diplomatic action. Mere expectations and advisories might not be enough. We need to see tangible results that ensure the safety of our citizens abroad.
K
Karthik V
This is a recurring issue. China's denial of our territorial integrity is one thing, but harassing ordinary travelers is another level. It's good that our media is highlighting this. Jai Hind!
M
Michael C
Respectfully, while the detention is wrong, perhaps there is a need for clearer bilateral protocols to prevent such misunderstandings at transit points. Both nations have a responsibility to ensure smooth travel for each other's citizens.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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