New Delhi/Beijing, A simple trip from London to Japan turned into a nightmare for Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a woman from Arunachal Pradesh living in the UK. On November 21, what was meant to be a quick three-hour stop at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport stretched into 18 hours of worry and anger. Chinese immigration officers took her passport, called it “not valid,” and said her birthplace – Arunachal Pradesh – belongs to China, not India. They even laughed at her and told her to get a Chinese passport instead.
China’s government has now hit back hard. On Tuesday, they said no harassment happened, and everything followed their rules. But this has sparked a big fight between India and China. It brings back old arguments over Arunachal Pradesh, a state India says is fully its own, but China calls “Zangnan” or South Tibet. For Indians, this feels like a slap to our pride and a reminder of border troubles that never seem to end.
Prema, who has lived in the UK for 14 years, shared her story on social media and in talks with news teams. “They pulled me out of the line and said, ‘Arunachal is not India. It’s China. Your visa won’t work,'” she told ANI. She works as a financial advisor, studied economics in Delhi and the UK, and holds a valid Indian passport. But at the airport, officers took her passport away and would not let her board her next flight. They pushed her to buy a new ticket on China Eastern Airlines, saying only then would they give it back. “I felt trapped. No phone worked well there – Google, WhatsApp, nothing. I had to ask a friend in the UK to call the Indian embassy for me,” she added.
After hours of stress, help came from the Indian consulate in Shanghai. They rushed to the airport, got her food, talked to the Chinese side, and helped her catch a late-night flight to Japan. But the damage was done. Prema wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu. “This is an insult to India’s land and our people from Arunachal. Please make sure it does not happen again to any normal citizen,” she said in her email.
What Happened Step by Step: Prema’s Tough Day at the Airport
Prema left London on November 21 for Japan. Her flight landed in Shanghai around evening. She had checked with the Chinese embassy in London before – no visa needed for a short stop. But as she went through immigration, trouble started fast.
A female officer spotted “Arunachal Pradesh” on her passport. “She said, ‘Arunachal – not India, China. You should apply for Chinese passport. You’re Chinese, not Indian,'” Prema recalled. Other officers joined in, laughing and mocking her. They called her passport “invalid” and kept it. China Eastern Airlines staff told her to buy another ticket or stay stuck. No free movement – she was held in the transit area, with just a spot to sit and basic food from the airline.
China’s strict rules on apps made it worse. “I could not reach anyone. Social media is blocked there. It took hours to get help through my UK friend,” Prema said. Finally, around midnight, Indian officials arrived. They spoke firmly with the Chinese team, sorted the passport issue, and got her on a flight. She reached Japan the next day, but the shock stayed.
This is not just one bad day. It points to deeper problems. China often stamps maps claiming Arunachal as theirs. They even renamed places there last year. India always says no – Arunachal is ours, and our people have full rights to Indian passports.
India’s Strong Pushback: Protests and Calls for Action
India did not wait long to act. On the same day, November 21, the government sent a sharp note – called a demarche – to China in Delhi and Beijing. “Arunachal Pradesh is without doubt part of India. Its people can travel with Indian passports anywhere,” officials told China. The Shanghai consulate helped Prema right away, showing how our missions step up in tough spots.
Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu was quick to speak out. “I am deeply shocked by this bad treatment of Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a proud Indian from Arunachal. Holding her for hours, mocking her race – it’s shocking and against world rules. Arunachal is always part of India. Any other talk is wrong and hurts us,” he posted on X. Khandu called it an “attack on the respect of Indian people” and asked for quick steps against those officers.
Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal added his view. “Airport staff should not mix politics with their job. This is not right,” he said on TV. On X, users from India shared anger. One post from @DefenceNewsOfIN said, “China rakes up Arunachal claim again. Time to stop their one-China game and use our maps.” Another from @EaioAlbertA noted, “China: ‘Zangnan is ours.’ Triggered by this airport stop. India fights back strong.”
For people in Arunachal and the Northeast, this hits close. “We already face border patrols and claims. Now even travel feels unsafe,” said a local teacher in Itanagar. It reminds many of the 1962 war and ongoing Ladakh standoffs.
China’s Flat Denial: “No Wrong, All by Rules”
China’s Foreign Ministry spoke out on Tuesday. Spokesperson Mao Ning said, “We never accept the so-called Arunachal Pradesh made by India. Zangnan is China’s land.” On Prema’s claims, she added, “Our border checks followed laws fully. Her rights were safe. No force, no hold, no trouble. The airline gave rest and food. Ask the right offices for more.”
Mao made it clear: China sees Arunachal as theirs and does not back down. This is not new – they say it often, like in UN talks or map fights. But using it at an airport feels like a low blow to many.
Experts say this could hurt India-China ties more. Trade is big – over $100 billion last year – but trust is low after Galwan in 2020. “Such acts make people wary of travel to China. It adds hurdles when we want calm borders,” said a Delhi think-tank voice.
Why This Matters for India: From Borders to Daily Life
Arunachal is key for us – home to rivers, forests, and tribes. It’s also near the Line of Actual Control, where soldiers watch day and night. China building villages there or renaming spots is old news. But hitting a citizen at an airport? That’s personal.
For everyday Indians, it means worry about travel. “If this can happen to someone with a valid passport, what about students or workers going to China?” asked a Mumbai businessman. It also fires up talks on strong borders. PM Modi has said Arunachal is “part of our heart,” and built big roads there.
Globally, it shows China’s bold claims. The US and others back India on this. But for now, it tests our diplomats. Will there be more protests? Or talks to avoid repeats?
Prema is safe in Japan now, but her story has woken many. “I just wanted to visit friends. Now I feel the weight of borders on my back,” she said. As one X user put it, “Stand with Arunachal. #ArunachalIsIndia.”
The fight goes on – in words today, maybe more tomorrow. India stands firm: Our land, our people, no question.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who is Prema Wangjom Thongdok, and what exactly happened to her at Shanghai airport?
A: Prema is an Indian citizen from Rupa in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district. She lives in the UK for 14 years, works as a financial advisor, and studied economics in Delhi and the UK. On November 21, 2025, she flew from London to Japan with a three-hour layover at Shanghai Pudong Airport. Immigration officers took her valid Indian passport, called it “invalid” because of her Arunachal birthplace, mocked her by saying “Arunachal is China” and “get a Chinese passport,” and held her for 18 hours in the transit area. They would not let her board her flight and pushed her to buy a new ticket. She could not use apps like WhatsApp due to China’s blocks, so a UK friend called the Indian consulate. Officials came, helped her, and got her on a late flight. She called it a “traumatising ordeal” and wrote to PM Modi for action.
Q: What did China say about the harassment claims?
A: China’s Foreign Ministry, through spokesperson Mao Ning, denied any wrongdoing on November 25. They said all checks followed laws, her rights were “fully protected,” no detention or force happened, and the airline gave rest and food. Mao also repeated, “Zangnan (Arunachal) is China’s territory. We never accept the so-called Arunachal Pradesh set up by India.” They called the process “impartial and non-abusive.” But Prema’s account differs, saying she felt mocked and trapped.
Q: How did India respond to this incident?
A: India sent a strong demarche to China in Delhi and Beijing on November 21 itself. Officials said Arunachal is “indisputably” Indian land, and its people have full rights to Indian passports. The Shanghai consulate helped Prema quickly with food and exit. Arunachal CM Pema Khandu condemned it as “appalling” and a “violation of world norms,” vowing Arunachal is forever India’s. The MEA called the grounds “ludicrous” and said such acts create “unnecessary hurdles” in ties. Prema urged PMO and MEA for accountability and compensation.
Q: Why does China claim Arunachal Pradesh, and how often does this happen?
A: China calls Arunachal “Zangnan” or South Tibet, saying it’s historically theirs since old times. They claim the McMahon Line from 1914 talks is not valid. India says no – it’s our land since 1947, with people voting in our elections. This is an old fight, from 1962 war to now. China renames places there yearly and stamps maps. But using it to stop a traveler? Rare, but it shows their stand. India rejects all claims and builds infra like roads to show control.
Q: What does this mean for Indians traveling to or through China?
A: It raises red flags. If birthplace like Arunachal can cause stops, others from border areas might face checks too. China blocks apps, so carry embassy numbers offline. MEA says report issues fast – they help quick, as here. But it hurts trust. Trade is huge ($100B+), but people may pick other routes. Experts say talk more on borders to avoid such rows. For now, double-check visas and keep calm.
Q: Will this lead to bigger India-China tensions?
A: It adds fuel, but may not spark big fights. Ladakh patrolling talks are on, and trade goes strong. But it shows cracks – China uses small spots to push claims. India wants peace but firm lines. CM Khandu and others call for action against officers. Watch for MEA updates; could mean stricter travel advice. Long-term, it pushes us to boost Northeast ties and border strength.