Arunachal Pradesh – India has strongly reiterated its sovereignty over the northeastern state following a diplomatic incident that has brought the long-standing territorial dispute back into the spotlight. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a firm statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that the Arunachal Pradesh India territory question is not up for debate, describing the region as an integral and inalienable part of the nation.
Detention Incident Triggers Fresh Tensions
The latest controversy erupted when Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen, was detained at Shanghai airport on November 21 while traveling from London to Japan. What should have been a routine three-hour layover turned into a harrowing experience when Chinese immigration authorities declared her passport invalid simply because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace. The incident has brought the sensitive issue of Arunachal Pradesh India territory to the forefront of bilateral relations once again.
Thongdok’s ordeal lasted several hours, during which she was reportedly subjected to questioning and denied the right to continue her journey as planned. The incident has raised serious concerns about the treatment of Indian citizens traveling through Chinese airports, particularly those hailing from the disputed region.
China Reiterates Territorial Claims
In response to the growing controversy, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning defended the actions of immigration officials, claiming that no compulsory measures, detention, or harassment had occurred. However, she went further by reasserting China’s claim over the region, referring to it by the Chinese name “Zangnan” and stating that China has never acknowledged what she termed the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally set up by India.”
This statement represents yet another attempt by Beijing to challenge India’s sovereignty over the Arunachal Pradesh India territory, a position that has been consistent in Chinese diplomatic rhetoric but remains unacceptable to New Delhi. The reference to the region as illegally established particularly drew sharp criticism from Indian officials.
India’s Firm Response to Chinese Claims
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal issued a strongly worded response, categorically rejecting China’s assertions. “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a self-evident fact,” Jaiswal stated, adding that no amount of denial by the Chinese side would change this indisputable reality. The statement reinforced India’s unwavering position on the Arunachal Pradesh India territory matter.
Jaiswal further highlighted that the detention issue had been taken up strongly with Chinese authorities through diplomatic channels. He pointed out that Chinese officials have failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for their actions, which violate several international conventions governing air travel. The spokesperson noted that China’s own regulations permit visa-free transit for up to 24 hours for nationals of all countries, making the detention even more questionable.
Violation of International Travel Norms
The incident has raised broader questions about compliance with international aviation and transit protocols. India has emphasized that the treatment of Thongdok violated established norms that facilitate smooth international travel. The MEA’s statement underscored that Chinese authorities acted contrary to their own published guidelines, which should have allowed the Indian citizen to transit without impediment.
The Arunachal Pradesh India territory dispute has thus extended beyond mere territorial claims to affect the practical aspects of international travel, potentially impacting thousands of Indian citizens who may need to transit through Chinese airports.
Regional Leadership Condemns Incident
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed deep shock over the incident, describing the treatment of Thongdok as “appalling racial mockery.” His statement reflected the sentiments of residents of the northeastern state, who have increasingly found themselves caught in the crossfire of this territorial dispute.
The chief minister’s response highlighted the human dimension of the Arunachal Pradesh India territory controversy, emphasizing how geopolitical tensions directly affect ordinary citizens going about their daily lives.
Historical Context and Ongoing Tensions
India has consistently and categorically rejected all Chinese claims over the northeastern state, maintaining that the Arunachal Pradesh India territory is non-negotiable. The state is home to over 1.3 million Indian citizens and has been administered by India since the country’s independence.
In recent years, China has intensified its claims by renaming dozens of towns and geographical features in the region as part of a sustained campaign to assert sovereignty. These actions have been systematically rejected by India, which views them as attempts to create a false historical narrative.
Implications for Bilateral Relations
The Shanghai airport incident comes at a time when India-China relations remain strained following border tensions in recent years. The detention of an Indian citizen over her birthplace in Arunachal Pradesh India territory demonstrates how the territorial dispute continues to manifest in unexpected ways, affecting people-to-people contact and travel.
As diplomatic channels work to resolve this specific incident, the broader question of the Arunachal Pradesh India territory remains a fundamental point of contention between the two Asian giants, with neither side showing any willingness to compromise on their core positions.
