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India’s Red Line: MEA Demands China Assure Safe Passage, Defends Arunachal’s Sovereignty
Summary: MEA Draws Red Line on Citizen Harassment
India has formally put China on notice, demanding immediate assurances that Indian citizens-especially those from Arunachal Pradesh-will not be "selectively targeted" or "arbitrarily detained" while transiting Chinese airports. This highly unusual and strong diplomatic move, confirmed by the MEA's Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, follows the 18-hour ordeal of an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai Airport. The incident has pushed New Delhi to firmly re-assert that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable part of India,” a stance now coupled with an official advisory urging Indian travellers to exercise "due discretion" on Chinese routes.
MEA to China: Stop Using Arunachal Citizens as Diplomatic Pawns
New Delhi, December 8, 2025 – The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) delivered one of its strongest statements in recent times on Monday, directly challenging Beijing over the systematic harassment of Indian nationals linked to China’s territorial claims on Arunachal Pradesh. The message is clear: India’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, and its citizens will not be subjected to arbitrary action.
Speaking at the weekly press briefing, MEA Official Spokesperson Mr. Randhir Jaiswal articulated New Delhi’s concern, elevating the passport row from a consular matter to a serious diplomatic issue concerning sovereign recognition.
👉 “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 regulations governing international air travel would be respected by the Chinese side,” asserted Mr. Jaiswal.
The catalyst for this robust intervention was the widely publicised detention of Pema Thongdok, an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, at Shanghai International Airport on November 21, 2025. Ms. Thongdok, travelling with a valid Indian passport, was allegedly held for over 18 hours because Chinese immigration officials refused to recognise the document, citing her birthplace as belonging to "Chinese territory"-a direct affront to India’s sovereignty.
A Diplomatic Counter-Punch: Reaffirming the Unchangeable Reality
Official sources confirm that Monday’s high-stakes statement is deliberately timed to push back hard against China’s repeated, aggressive assertions over Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing calls 'South Tibet' (Zangnan). The statement serves to remind the international community and Beijing of India’s “firm, principled, and unwavering” position on the state.
Arunachal Pradesh, which includes the ancient, strategically vital Buddhist region of Tawang and acts as a crucial water source for vast segments of Eastern and Northeastern India, is not merely a border area; it is a geopolitical and cultural cornerstone of the Indian Union.
Mr. Jaiswal’s earlier, equally firm response on November 26 dismissed China’s “arbitrary actions” as “most unhelpful” for fostering people-centric cooperation. He stressed that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable part of India and this is a fact that is self-evident. No amount of denial by the Chinese side will change this indisputable reality.”
MEA Issues High-Caution Travel Advisory
Given the precedent set by the Shanghai incident, the MEA has proactively issued a cautious advisory.
👉 “The MEA would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to or transiting through China,” Mr. Jaiswal counselled.
This advisory suggests a heightened risk environment, particularly for those whose documentation or place of birth might be scrutinised due to bilateral tensions. The incident highlights the growing potential for Indian nationals to become collateral damage or diplomatic tools in the ongoing border dispute.
Keywords: India China Passport Row Shanghai,Arunachal Pradesh Integral Part of India MEA,Randhir Jaiswal China Travel Advisory,India China Territorial Dispute Tawang
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