Expect China to Ensure Indian Travellers Are Not Targeted, Detained or Harassed: MEA

New Delhi- India on Monday said it expects Chinese authorities to provide clear assurances that Indian travellers, especially those transiting through Chinese airports, will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained, or harassed.

The strong statement comes in response to the recent detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai International Airport — an incident New Delhi described as a blatant violation of international norms and bilateral understandings.

“We expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed, and that international air travel regulations will be respected,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during the weekly media briefing in New Delhi.

The MEA also advised Indian nationals to exercise caution while travelling to or transiting through China.

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

She claimed that officials refused to accept her Indian passport, insisting that her birthplace — Arunachal Pradesh — was “part of China.”

India strongly protested the incident, with the MEA stating on November 25 that Chinese authorities had failed to justify their actions, which violated multiple conventions governing international air travel. The ministry also noted that China’s actions contradicted its own rules allowing visa-free transit of up to 24 hours for nationals of all countries.

New Delhi has repeatedly reaffirmed that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, rejecting China’s claims.

“This is a fact beyond dispute. No amount of denial or misrepresentation by China can alter this reality,” the MEA said in its earlier statement.

With inputs from IANS