India Condemns China's Detention of Arunachal Woman: Territorial Dispute Threatens Diplomatic Progress

India expressed strong concern on Wednesday regarding China's "arbitrary actions" against an Arunachal Pradesh woman traveler detained at Shanghai airport, warning such incidents could undermine efforts to build mutual trust between the two nations.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that maintaining peace in border regions remains essential for the continued development of India-China bilateral relations.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing the "arbitrary detention" of Indian citizen Pema Wang Thongdok, firmly declared that Arunachal Pradesh constitutes an "integral and inalienable" part of India, and Chinese denials cannot alter this "indisputable reality."

According to Thongdok, Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai airport held her for 18 hours during a transit stop on November 21, refusing to recognize her Indian passport because her birthplace is listed as Arunachal Pradesh.

The Chinese foreign ministry dismissed these allegations on Tuesday, claiming their actions complied with regulations while reiterating China's territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh.

In response, the MEA issued a statement on Tuesday rejecting China's position.

"Arbitrary actions by China, as the one that I referred to involving an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, are most unhelpful towards efforts being made by both sides to build mutual trust and understanding, and gradually move towards normalisation of bilateral relations," Jaiswal stated.

The relationship between India and China has remained strained since the eastern Ladakh border confrontation that began in May 2020. However, in recent months, both countries have initiated various measures to normalize relations following the resolution of their military standoff in October last year.

"We want to say that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a fact which is self-evident. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality," Jaiswal emphasized.

He further stressed that "maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border regions is a prerequisite for the continued and overall development of India-China bilateral relations. Our position in this regard has always been very clear and consistent."

"Both sides have worked closely to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border regions. And it is on this basis that progress, especially in particular with a focus on people-centric engagements, has been made," Jaiswal added.

In recent months, India and China have agreed on several people-oriented initiatives to stabilize and rebuild diplomatic ties.

These include arrangements to resume the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, reestablishment of direct flights, celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and visa facilitation measures, among others.

Direct flights between the two countries resumed in October.