New Delhi has formally objected to what it calls the “arbitrary detention” of Pem Wang Thongdok, an Indian passport-holder stopped at Shanghai Pudong on 25–26 November while transiting to Japan. Chinese officers reportedly refused to accept her passport because it lists Arunachal Pradesh—territory Beijing claims as “Zangnan”—as her birthplace, holding her for 18 hours before allowing onward travel.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned senior Chinese diplomats on Wednesday, insisting that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable part of India” and accusing China of violating its own 24-hour visa-free transit rules. Beijing denied any harassment, saying border staff “acted in accordance with law”.
![India Lodges Diplomatic Protest After Citizen Held 18 Hours at Shanghai Airport]()
The incident spotlights how geopolitical disputes can spill over into day-to-day mobility. Compliance teams at Indian multinationals with China supply chains told Global Mobility News they are reviewing contingency routings via Hong Kong or Seoul for employees from sensitive border states. Travel-risk advisers recommend carrying additional photo ID and allocating longer connection windows when transiting Mainland airports.
Diplomatic analysts do not expect the episode to derail talks on restoring direct Delhi–Beijing flight capacity, but warn it could influence public sentiment ahead of India’s 2026 general election. For now, businesses should brief travellers on possible secondary screening if their documents reference disputed regions.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned senior Chinese diplomats on Wednesday, insisting that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable part of India” and accusing China of violating its own 24-hour visa-free transit rules. Beijing denied any harassment, saying border staff “acted in accordance with law”.
The incident spotlights how geopolitical disputes can spill over into day-to-day mobility. Compliance teams at Indian multinationals with China supply chains told Global Mobility News they are reviewing contingency routings via Hong Kong or Seoul for employees from sensitive border states. Travel-risk advisers recommend carrying additional photo ID and allocating longer connection windows when transiting Mainland airports.
Diplomatic analysts do not expect the episode to derail talks on restoring direct Delhi–Beijing flight capacity, but warn it could influence public sentiment ahead of India’s 2026 general election. For now, businesses should brief travellers on possible secondary screening if their documents reference disputed regions.
