MEA Statement: Maintaining Peace in Border Regions Key to India-China Relations Amid Arunachal Dispute

India on Wednesday rebuked China over its repeated territorial claims on Arunachal Pradesh, stating that Beijing's "arbitrary actions" are severely undermining efforts to stabilize bilateral relations amid an ongoing diplomatic row triggered by the detention of an Indian citizen from the state at Shanghai airport. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized during his weekly briefing that such incidents introduce "unnecessary obstructions" to building mutual trust, particularly as both nations work toward normalizing ties following years of border tensions. The remarks came in response to China's Foreign Ministry defending the immigration authorities' handling of the case while reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh—referred to by Beijing as "Zangnan"—is part of its territory.

The controversy erupted on November 21 when Pema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian passport holder originally from Arunachal Pradesh, was detained for nearly 18 hours during a transit layover at Shanghai International Airport en route from London to Japan. Despite being eligible for China's 24-hour visa-free transit policy for all nationalities, Thongdok alleged that officials declared her passport "invalid" solely because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace, subjecting her to intense questioning and isolation. She described the ordeal as traumatic, including being denied food and water initially and being forced to sign documents in Chinese before being allowed to continue her journey after intervention from the Indian embassy.

India lodged a strong protest with Chinese authorities in both Beijing and Delhi, describing the detention as a blatant violation of international aviation conventions and China's own transit regulations. Jaiswal asserted that "Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a self-evident fact. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality." He added that the actions not only breached global norms but also contradicted Beijing's assurances of fair treatment for transit passengers, highlighting a pattern of using administrative measures to assert political claims.

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China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning rejected the allegations of harassment or detention, insisting that border inspection procedures were followed impartially, with the passenger's rights fully protected and no coercive measures applied. The airline reportedly provided her with resting facilities and meals during the process. However, Mao's statement reignited the sovereignty dispute by stating that China "has never recognized the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ illegally set up by India," prompting India's immediate rebuttal and underscoring the fragility of diplomatic progress.

The incident occurs against the backdrop of strained India-China relations, exacerbated by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash that killed 20 Indian soldiers and ongoing military standoffs along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. While disengagement talks have yielded partial successes, such as troop pullbacks at friction points like Pangong Lake, experts warn that episodes like the Shanghai detention could erode confidence-building measures. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu condemned the event as a "violation of international norms and an affront to the dignity of Indian citizens," calling for safeguards against similar future occurrences.

As both sides navigate this latest flashpoint, the MEA reiterated that "maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border regions is a prerequisite for the continued development of India-China relations." With high-level dialogues like the Special Representatives' mechanism resuming in recent months, analysts suggest that addressing non-military irritants—such as travel restrictions tied to territorial disputes—will be crucial to preventing escalation and fostering sustainable stability in this geopolitically sensitive relationship.

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