A significant diplomatic concern has arisen after a woman from Arunachal Pradesh was detained at Shanghai Airport, with Chinese officials questioning her passport’s validity and asserting territorial claims over the Indian state. The traveler, Pema Wang Thongdok, was reportedly held for over 18 hours on November 21, 2025. She took to social media to detail her experience, stating that immigration and airline staff declared her Indian passport invalid because her birthplace, Arunachal Pradesh, was claimed as Chinese territory. Pema tagged prominent Indian political figures, including the Prime Minister’s Office and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, to highlight the issue. The incident has sparked public outcry in India, with social media users expressing outrage and demanding governmental intervention. Many have voiced their solidarity with the detained woman and condemned China’s stance as a blatant disregard for India’s sovereignty.
