An Indian-origin UK resident, Pema Wangjom Thongdok, has alleged hours-long harassment by immigration officials during a transit stop at Shanghai Pudong International Airport due to her Indian passport listing Arunachal Pradesh as her place of birth. Thongdok, who was traveling from London to Japan on November 21, faced an ordeal when Chinese authorities declared her passport invalid, stating, “Arunachal Pradesh is part of China.”
Thongdok was en route from London to Japan with a scheduled three-hour layover in Shanghai. Upon arrival, immigration officials questioned the validity of her Indian passport solely because “Arunachal Pradesh” was listed as her place of birth. Thongdok reported that officials insisted Arunachal Pradesh belonged to China and rejected her documentation on this basis, despite her status as a UK resident and possessing a valid Indian passport.
Prolonged Ordeal and Pressure from Officials
The short transit unexpectedly escalated into an 18-hour ordeal. Thongdok was denied access to her onward flight, not given adequate information or proper food, and restricted in her movements within airport facilities. She alleged that both airport officials and China Eastern Airlines staff mocked her situation and pressured her to purchase a new airline ticket, implying her passport would only be returned upon buying a replacement fare.
Escalation and Consular Intervention
Thongdok shared that, although she had previously transited through Shanghai without issues—and after prior confirmation with the Chinese embassy in London—this instance turned distressing. With support from a friend in the UK and help from the Indian Consulate in Shanghai, she was finally permitted to depart China late at night, nearly 18 hours after her original transit window.
The experience comes amid ongoing disputes between India and China regarding Arunachal Pradesh. China’s repeated attempts to claim the Indian state as its territory have led to diplomatic confrontations and have increasingly affected travelers from the region, as highlighted by Thongdok’s ordeal. The incident raises fresh concerns over cross-border travel and consular support for Indian citizens, especially those originating from contested areas.
