India has formally asked China to guarantee that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not face harassment or arbitrary detention.
This request comes after an Indian woman was detained for several hours at Shanghai airport last month, raising concerns about travel safety and diplomatic relations.
The Ministry of External Affairs said it expects China to provide firm assurances that Indian travelers will not be “selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained, or harassed.” The spokesperson emphasized that such incidents undermine efforts to rebuild trust between the two countries.
At a weekly briefing, foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has already lodged a strong protest with Beijing regarding the detention of the Indian passport holder. He also advised Indian citizens to exercise caution when traveling to or through China.
The November Incident
Reports identified the detained traveler as Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian passport holder. She was transiting through Shanghai on November 21 when Chinese authorities questioned her passport.
The officials reportedly claimed her passport was invalid because she was born in Arunachal Pradesh, an Indian state claimed by China as part of southern Tibet. Thongdok was prevented from boarding her connecting flight to Japan and was held for 18 hours before being released.
The incident has revived concerns about China’s territorial claims and how they may affect Indian travelers born in disputed regions.
China’s Position
The Chinese foreign ministry did not respond immediately to India’s request. Previously, Beijing stated that airport checks were conducted according to “laws and regulations” but did not address the specific case.
Background
India and China have been cautiously working to improve relations after years of tension. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China in August, meeting President Xi Jinping to emphasize cooperation and partnership.
Relations had deteriorated sharply after a deadly 2020 border clash, which left 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead. India and China share a 3,800 km (2,400-mile) disputed border, making border and travel-related issues highly sensitive.
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India’s request highlights its efforts to protect citizens abroad and ensure safe and fair treatment during international travel.
