A troubling incident involving a woman from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai Pudong Airport has sparked widespread outrage and concern across social media and beyond. The woman, identified as Pema Wang Thongdok, shared her distressing experience of being held at the airport for more than 18 hours after Chinese immigration officials declared her Indian passport invalid. The officials reportedly questioned her identity and birthplace, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese territory, a claim that has only intensified tensions and drawn calls for urgent government intervention.
Pema Wang Thongdok, an Indian citizen originally from Arunachal Pradesh and a resident of the United Kingdom for approximately 14 years, was traveling from London to Japan with a transit stop in Shanghai. According to her account, the ordeal began when a Chinese immigration official singled her out from the queue at Shanghai Pudong Airport. When she asked for clarification, the official allegedly told her that her visa was unacceptable and her passport invalid because her birthplace, Arunachal Pradesh, was not recognized as part of India. Instead, the officials insisted that Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese territory, mocking her and suggesting that she should apply for a Chinese passport instead.
In her statements to the news agency ANI, Pema expressed shock and distress at the treatment she received. She recounted how the officials laughed and made derogatory remarks about her nationality, refusing to accept her Indian passport on the grounds of her place of birth. This treatment not only delayed her travel but also caused her significant emotional distress. Pema emphasized that she has previously transited through Shanghai without any issues, highlighting the unusual and targeted nature of this incident.
Following the incident, Pema took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share her experience and seek support. In her post, she tagged prominent Indian leaders, including the Prime Minister’s Office, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, urging them to address the matter urgently. Her tweet explained that she was held for over 18 hours on November 21, 2025, due to claims made by Chinese immigration and China Eastern Airlines that her Indian passport was invalid because of her Arunachal Pradesh birthplace, which they claimed to be Chinese territory.
The post quickly went viral, resonating with many users who expressed solidarity with Pema and outrage at the incident. Social media users condemned the behavior of Chinese immigration officials and called on the Indian government to take decisive action. Comments under the post ranged from demands for an official response to calls for diplomatic measures. Many tagged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging swift intervention to safeguard the rights and dignity of Indian citizens abroad.
The incident has added fuel to the longstanding and sensitive territorial dispute between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory, a claim India strongly rejects and which has led to various diplomatic and military tensions over the years. The treatment of Pema Wang Thongdok at the Shanghai airport is seen by many as an extension of this geopolitical conflict, manifesting at a personal level for Indian citizens from the region.
Indian officials and the public alike have expressed deep concern over the implications of this episode. The refusal to recognize an Indian passport issued to a citizen from Arunachal Pradesh not only violates basic principles of international travel and diplomacy but also touches on issues of national sovereignty and identity. Many observers have noted that such incidents can escalate diplomatic tensions and undermine the safety and rights of Indian nationals traveling abroad.
In response to the social media outcry, Indian diplomatic channels are expected to engage with Chinese authorities to seek clarification and a resolution to the matter. While no official statement has been made public yet by the Ministry of External Affairs, the demand for accountability and protection of Indian citizens overseas remains high. The incident has also sparked discussions about the need for the Indian government to provide better support and guidance to travelers from border regions that are contested or sensitive in international relations.
The broader public reaction on social media highlights the power of digital platforms in amplifying individual experiences and mobilizing support. Pema’s post received widespread attention not only because of the personal injustice she faced but also because it struck a chord with nationalist sentiments and concerns over China’s claims on Indian territory. Hashtags and messages of solidarity poured in from across India, with many users sharing their own experiences or expressing fears about similar treatment in the future.
This episode also raises important questions about the treatment of travelers at international airports and the role of