Mon Dec 08 17:42:57 UTC 2025: News Article Summary:
India Urges China to Guarantee Safety of Indian Travelers Amidst Territorial Dispute
New Delhi, December 8, 2025 – The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a strong statement urging China to guarantee the safety and fair treatment of Indian citizens traveling through or transiting within China. This comes after an incident on November 21, 2025, where an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh was detained at Shanghai International Airport, with Chinese authorities questioning the validity of her Indian passport due to her birthplace.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India’s firm position that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable part of India” and called for assurances that Indian travelers will not be “selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed.” The MEA is advising Indian nationals to exercise “due discretion” when traveling to China. The statement also highlights India’s displeasure with China’s continued claims over Arunachal Pradesh, a region of strategic importance to India for its water resources and historical significance. This latest development underscores the ongoing tensions between India and China concerning their border dispute and territorial claims.
News Article:
India Demands China Protect Indian Travelers from Harassment Amidst Border Tensions
New Delhi – December 8, 2025 – The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today issued a strongly worded statement, urging China to ensure the safety and non-discriminatory treatment of Indian citizens traveling through Chinese airports. The statement follows an incident on November 21, in which Pema Thongdok, an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh, was detained at Shanghai International Airport for over 18 hours. Chinese authorities reportedly questioned the validity of her Indian passport, citing her birthplace as Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as its territory.
“We expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed,” stated MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a press briefing. He emphasized India’s position that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable part of India.”
The MEA has also advised Indian nationals to exercise “due discretion” when traveling to or transiting through China.
Sources within the Indian government indicate that today’s statement reflects New Delhi’s growing frustration with China’s persistent claims over Arunachal Pradesh, a strategically vital region for India. The area includes Tawang, an important Buddhist site, and vast stretches of the Eastern Himalayas, crucial for water resources in eastern and northeastern India.
The incident involving Ms. Thongdok has amplified concerns regarding the potential for harassment of Indian citizens traveling in China, further straining the already tense relationship between the two nations. This comes as both sides continue to seek a resolution to long-standing border disputes. The MEA reiterated that “arbitrary actions” by China are “most unhelpful” in fostering positive relations.
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