New Delhi. India has now responded in a direct and strong language on the issue of declaring Arunachal Pradesh as its share and the misbehavior with an Indian woman at the Shanghai airport. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clearly stated that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral, indivisible and undisputed part of India and any denial by China can neither change the facts nor the sovereignty of India. Putting China’s shamelessness and silence in the dock on this matter, India on Tuesday said that the Chinese side is not even worthy of giving details of its action, while they have openly violated international standards and their own rules.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in its statement, “We have seen China’s statements on the arbitrary detention of an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian woman concerned had a valid passport and was traveling to Japan from Shanghai International Airport. It was not only wrong for China to detain her on the basis of her passport, but raising questions on her geographical origin is an unacceptable act.” India clearly said, “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. This is a self-evident, concrete and undisputed fact. Whatever China says, they are just lies on paper.”
China’s action violates international aviation rules
MEA also said that China has so far failed to explain on what basis they declared an Indian citizen as ‘illegal’. India expressed strong objection and said that the action of Chinese authorities is a violation of several conventions related to international air travel. The move also goes against China’s own transit rules, which allow citizens of each country up to 24 hours visa-free transit.
China denies allegation of harassing Indian woman
China on Tuesday had denied allegations that an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was harassed at Shanghai airport. China said that the action taken by Chinese immigration officials was in accordance with the law and regulations. Pema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian citizen living in Britain, was going from London to Japan on 21 November. He claimed that his three-hour scheduled stay took a turn for the worse when the immigration officials declared his passport ‘invalid’ merely because Arunachal Pradesh was mentioned as his birthplace.
When asked to respond to the incident with Thongdok, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning claimed that the woman was not subjected to any kind of compulsory measures, detention or harassment, as she alleged. Mao said that the airline had also made arrangements for rest, food and drinks for them. Mao said, “We learned that China’s border inspection officers have completed all procedures in accordance with laws and regulations and fully protected the legal rights and interests of the person concerned.”
China declared Arunachal as its share
He also reiterated China’s claims on Arunachal Pradesh, which it calls Jangnan or South Tibet. He said, “Jangnan is a part of China. China has never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India.” Sources in Delhi said that India had lodged a strong protest (demarche – a formal diplomatic protest) with China both in Beijing and Delhi on the day of the incident.
India has already responded to China
India had clearly told the Chinese side that Arunachal Pradesh is ‘without any doubt’ Indian territory and the people there have every right to hold Indian passports and travel with it. He said that the Indian Consulate in Shanghai also took up the matter at the local level and provided full assistance to the stranded passenger.
Thongdok had expressed his problem
In a series of posts on social media, Thongdok said he was detained by Chinese immigration officials at the Shanghai airport for 18 hours on the grounds that his passport was ‘invalid’ as Arunachal Pradesh was listed as his birthplace. With the help of a friend living in Britain, she somehow managed to contact the Indian Consulate in Shanghai. According to the information, the Consulate officials helped him board a late night flight from the Chinese city.
