The BRICS TimesIndia-China relations have soured after a woman from Arunachal Pradesh was detained at Shanghai International Airport. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India.
MEA Rebuffs Beijing’s Provocative Statements
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has strongly objected to China’s recent provocative statements about Arunachal Pradesh. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal firmly responded to China. He stated that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inseparable part of India. He stressed that no statement from China can ever alter this fundamental truth.
China Violated International Rules: MEA
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned they had seen the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement. This statement concerned the arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh. The detained woman possessed a valid passport. She was traveling to Japan from Shanghai International Airport. India has strongly raised the issue of her detention with the Chinese side. Chinese officials have not yet offered a clear justification for their actions. This action violates several rules governing international air travel.
China Ignored Its Own Rules: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs noted that the Chinese authorities’ actions also violate their own regulations. These rules allow for a 24-hour visa-free transit for citizens of all countries. Pema Wangzom Thongdok, an Indian citizen residing in the UK, was traveling from London to Japan on November 21. She claimed her three-hour scheduled stopover turned into a nightmare. Immigration officials allegedly declared her passport invalid. The reason cited was that it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace.
What China Said About the Indian National
When asked about the incident with Thongdok, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning responded. She claimed there were no forced measures, detention, or mistreatment, contrary to the woman’s allegations. Mao Ning asserted, “We learned that China’s border inspection officers completed all procedures according to laws and regulations. They fully protected the legal rights and interests of the person concerned.”
China’s Provocative Statement on Arunachal Pradesh
India issued a formal diplomatic protest (Démarché) against the mistreatment of the Indian woman. In response, China made another provocative statement. Mao Ning reiterated China’s claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which it calls ‘Zangnan’ or South Tibet. She stated, “Zangnan is part of China. China has never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India.”
