India-China Border Tension: India Firmly Rejects China's Claims on Arunachal Pradesh After Citizen's Detention
India-China Border Tension - India Firmly Rejects China's Claims on Arunachal Pradesh After Citizen's Detention
India has lodged a strong protest with China following the arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Wangzom, at Shanghai airport, while this incident has once again brought to the forefront the long-standing territorial dispute between the two nations concerning the sovereignty of Arunachal Pradesh. India has unequivocally stated that China's action constitutes a clear violation of international air travel regulations and has firmly rejected any questioning of its sovereignty.
The Incident at Shanghai Airport
The incident unfolded when Pema Wangzom, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh, was traveling from London to Japan on her valid Indian passport. Her itinerary included a mere three-hour transit layover in Shanghai, meaning she was only meant to change flights at the airport. However, Chinese authorities detained her, citing her passport as 'invalid. ' Pema was held for approximately 18 hours, transforming her brief layover into what she described as a 'horrible experience. ' She shared her ordeal on social media, indicating that she believed the. Trouble stemmed solely from her passport listing Arunachal Pradesh as her place of birth.India's Strong Condemnation and Diplomatic Intervention
Upon learning of the incident, India took immediate and decisive action. The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, conveyed India's strong displeasure regarding the matter. India promptly issued a 'demarche' – a formal diplomatic protest note – to the Chinese embassy, a significant step used by one country to express its objections to another, while the Indian Embassy and Consulate General in Shanghai swiftly established contact with Pema and provided assistance. Pema managed to relay her message to Indian officials with the help of a friend in the UK, and with the mission's aid, she was able to depart China on a late-night flight.Violation of International Norms
India has characterized China's action as a clear breach of international air travel regulations. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that, according to China's own policy, citizens of all countries are permitted a 24-hour visa-free transit. In this context, detaining Pema Wangzom, whose transit was only three hours, directly contradicts China's stated rules. This action isn't merely an infringement on an individual's right to travel but also a violation of established international air travel protocols that facilitate visa-free transit for passengers.China's Counter-Claim and India's Rebuttal
In response to the incident, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning claimed that Pema was neither detained nor mistreated. She asserted that the inspection was conducted in accordance with the law, and the passenger was provided with rest and food. Mao Ning also argued that many countries worldwide conduct such inspections, implying that China's actions weren't exceptional. However, Pema's personal account contradicts these claims. Crucially, in her response to India's protest, Mao Ning reiterated China's long-standing claim over Arunachal Pradesh. China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as 'Zangnan' or 'South Tibet,' considering it its territory and refusing to recognize it as part of India.Arunachal Pradesh: An Integral Part of India
India has categorically rejected these claims by China, while the Ministry of External Affairs unequivocally reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. India asserted that citizens of Arunachal Pradesh have every right to hold Indian passports and travel, and China's denial of this reality won't alter the ground situation. This statement underscores India's firm position that its sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh is non-negotiable, and any infringement on the rights of its residents is unacceptable, while india condemned China's act of arbitrary detention, especially given that Pema was merely transiting to change flights. This incident further exacerbates the ongoing tensions between India and China regarding border disputes and territorial claims, with India remaining committed to protecting its territorial integrity and the rights of its citizens.