India has issued a fresh advisory urging its citizens to exercise “due discretion” when travelling to or transiting through China, following an incident in which an Indian national was detained and questioned for hours at Shanghai Airport. The advisory comes even as Beijing prepares to launch an online visa application system for Indian travellers later this month.
MEA expresses concern after 18-hour airport ordeal
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India shared the public’s concerns about the treatment of Pema Wangjom Thangdok, an Arunachal Pradesh–born Indian citizen who was detained for over 18 hours during transit through Shanghai.
“We expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed,” Jaiswal said. He added that Indian nationals should exercise discretion until such assurances are clearly established.
India had earlier lodged a strong démarche with both Beijing and the Chinese Embassy in Delhi.
China questions passport validity, reasserts territorial claims
Thangdok, who has lived in the United Kingdom for 14 years, was en route to Japan when Chinese authorities declared her Indian passport “invalid” and insisted that Arunachal Pradesh is part of China, referring to it as ‘Zangnan’.
Indian officials intervened to resolve the situation and facilitate her onward travel.
The incident, Indian officials say, contravenes the Chicago and Montreal conventions on civil aviation governing international transit.
China has denied all allegations. On 25 November, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the checks were “impartial and non-abusive”, reiterated Beijing’s territorial claims, and stated that “no compulsory measures were taken”.
Incident comes amid fragile diplomatic thaw
The episode unfolds at a time when India and China are attempting to stabilise relations after years of tension following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes.
Over the past year, both sides have implemented phased disengagement at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Tianjin earlier this year for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Against this backdrop, the latest exchange highlights continuing sensitivities surrounding borders and identity, particularly regarding Arunachal Pradesh.
China to launch online visa system for Indian citizens
Despite the diplomatic friction, China continues to push for the resumption of tourism and business exchanges. On Monday, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong announced that the online visa application platform for Indian nationals would go live on 22 December.
Applicants will be able to upload documents and complete forms digitally, a move framed as a convenience measure to encourage people-to-people and commercial engagement.
Recently, direct air services between the two countries resumed, and Indian missions in China have restarted issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals, including those residing in third countries.
Travel advisory underscores persistent mistrust
While both governments show willingness to rebuild ties, India’s advisory underscores brisk concerns regarding the safety of its citizens abroad and Beijing’s treatment of individuals from Arunachal Pradesh.
New Delhi’s message remains clear: diplomatic normalisation continues, but travellers must remain vigilant