India strongly criticised China's "arbitrary actions" following the 18-hour detention of an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai airport, warning that such incidents could seriously undermine ongoing efforts to rebuild mutual trust and understanding between the two countries.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasised that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity along the border areas remains an essential prerequisite for the continued progress and overall development of bilateral relations between India and China.
During the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal directly addressed the case of Indian citizen Pema Wang Thongdok, describing it as an instance of "arbitrary detention". He reiterated India’s longstanding position, stating that Arunachal Pradesh is an "integral and inalienable" part of India and that no amount of denial by the Chinese side would alter this "indisputable reality".
Thongdok had alleged that on November 21, while in transit at Shanghai airport, Chinese immigration officials refused to recognise her Indian passport because her place of birth was listed as Arunachal Pradesh, leading to her detention for 18 hours.
The Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday dismissed the allegations, insisting that its officials had acted fully in accordance with relevant regulations while once again reiterating Beijing’s territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh.
In response, the MEA issued a formal statement on Tuesday rejecting China’s position.
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Speaking on Wednesday, Jaiswal said, "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.
"Relations between India and China have been under severe strain since the military standoff in eastern Ladakh that began in May 2020. However, after the two sides completed disengagement from the last friction points in October last year, both countries have taken several steps in recent months to stabilise and gradually normalise ties.
"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 stressed.
Also Read: Arunachal 'inalienable' part of India: MEA rejects China claim
He further stated, "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," he added.
The spokesperson noted that both sides have worked closely to preserve peace and tranquillity along the border, and it is on that foundation that has enabled recent progress, particularly in people-centric initiatives.
"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 said.
Among the recent people-centric measures agreed upon by India and China are the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, the restart of direct flights (which resumed in October), the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and various visa facilitation steps, all aimed at steadily rebuilding ties.
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