MEA warns Indians travelling to China to exercise due 'discretion'

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has warned Indians heading to China, or travelling via Chinese airports to exercise due discretion.

"We expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed and that regulations governing international air travel would be respected by the Chinese side. MEA would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to China or transiting through the country," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

The advisory follows a recent incident involving Pema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh. On November 21, Thongdok was travelling from London to Japan with a layover at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.


Chinese immigration officials allegedly declared her Indian passport “invalid” because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her place of birth, claiming the region was Chinese territory.

Thongdok, who was confined to the transit area for nearly 18 hours without adequate food or facilities, was eventually allowed to continue her journey after contacting the Indian Embassy.

Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, condemned the treatment of Thongdok as “unacceptable” and “appalling,” calling it “humiliation and racial mockery.” He added that “Arunachal Pradesh is, and will always be, an integral part of India,” saying any attempt to suggest otherwise is baseless and offensive.