New Delhi: Reports that a Nepali citizen was stopped at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi while attempting to travel to Germany sparked concern and social media discussion on Friday. The incident involved Shambhavi Adhikari, a Nepali national, who had initially arrived in Delhi from Kathmandu and was scheduled to board a connecting flight to Berlin. News outlets reported that she was reportedly prevented from continuing her journey and sent back to Kathmandu, prompting questions about Indian immigration policies and treatment of Nepali travelers.
However, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday issued a clarification, stating that the Indian immigration authorities had no role in preventing Adhikari from boarding her onward flight. According to the statement, the decision to deny her travel was taken solely by the airline handling her connecting flight to Germany, citing concerns over visa validity.
“It was the airlines which decided not to let her undertake her onward travel to Germany considering her visa validity and flew her back to Kathmandu. Indian immigration authorities were not involved in the matter,” the MHA said.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to official details, Shambhavi Adhikari arrived at Delhi Airport on an Air India flight from Kathmandu. She was scheduled to continue her journey to Berlin via a Qatar Airways connecting flight. Upon attempting to board the flight, the airline reportedly identified a problem related to her visa validity for Germany. Consequently, she was not allowed to board and was returned to Kathmandu.
The MHA clarified that international transit passengers, such as Adhikari in this case, do not need to approach Indian immigration authorities for their onward journey. Matters regarding the passenger’s documentation, visa validity, and boarding permissions are solely within the purview of the airline and the regulations of the destination country.
“International transit passengers are not required to approach Indian immigration authorities for their onward journey. Such matters are solely between the airline and the passenger, and Indian authorities have no role to play in this,” the statement read.
Following her return to Kathmandu, Adhikari reportedly rescheduled her travel plans and successfully reached her destination via a different route, according to MHA officials.
Addressing Misconceptions and Social Media Reactions
The incident had quickly sparked discussions on social media, with some users suggesting that there might have been discrimination or bias against Nepali nationals. Many posts speculated about Indian authorities being responsible for the travel denial, prompting concern both in India and Nepal.
In response, the Indian government stressed that these reports were misleading and clarified the facts to prevent any misunderstanding.
“The incident has been wrongly portrayed as bias or discrimination against Nepali citizens. To clarify, Indian immigration authorities had no role to play in this entire episode,” the Ministry of Home Affairs emphasized.
The statement also reaffirmed India’s historically strong and friendly relations with Nepal, underlining that Indian authorities treat Nepali citizens with fairness and do not discriminate against them in any official capacity.
The Role of Airlines in International Travel
The MHA highlighted that airlines, as per international aviation regulations, have the authority and responsibility to ensure that passengers meet the entry requirements of their destination country. This includes verifying visas, permits, and other travel documents. Failure to comply with these requirements allows airlines to deny boarding to passengers in accordance with destination country laws.
In Adhikari’s case, the airline—Qatar Airways—exercised this responsibility by refusing to allow boarding due to issues concerning visa validity for Germany. Such decisions, while sometimes frustrating for travelers, are standard practice globally to ensure compliance with international travel regulations.
“Disallowing the Nepali citizen from further travel was undertaken in accordance with the destination country rules or requirements. It is important to note that this is a routine matter handled by airlines worldwide to prevent passengers from being denied entry at their final destination,” the MHA added.
Ensuring Clarity for Travelers
The MHA’s clarification is an important reminder for international travelers that while India acts as a transit point, responsibility for onward travel lies primarily with the airline and the regulations of the destination country. Passengers are advised to ensure that their visas, travel documents, and connections are valid before attempting transit flights to avoid similar situations.
The ministry also underlined that incidents like these should not be interpreted as reflecting India’s stance toward citizens of Nepal or any other country. India maintains a unique and longstanding bilateral relationship with Nepal, marked by open borders, cultural ties, and economic cooperation.
Diplomatic and Public Implications
While the incident was ultimately resolved without diplomatic escalation, it underscores the sensitivity of international travel issues involving citizens of neighboring countries. Rapid clarification by the Indian authorities helped prevent misunderstandings that could have strained public perceptions or bilateral goodwill.
Officials emphasized that both Indian authorities and airlines prioritize clear communication and compliance with international travel norms, and that misrepresentation of such incidents on social media can unnecessarily inflame tensions or propagate misinformation.
“India and Nepal share a close relationship, and Indian authorities continue to extend fair treatment to Nepali citizens visiting or transiting through India,” the MHA statement read.
Lessons for International Travelers
The episode offers several lessons for travelers, particularly those in transit:
- Verify visa validity before booking connecting flights. Airlines may deny boarding if travel documents do not meet destination country requirements.
- Understand the role of transit countries: Indian immigration authorities typically do not intervene in transit unless there is an entry or visa violation within India itself.
- Check airline guidelines: Airlines enforce destination rules rigorously to avoid passengers being denied entry, which can lead to costly travel disruptions.
- Rescheduling options: If boarding is denied, passengers can reschedule their travel or take alternative routes to reach their destination, as Adhikari successfully did.
Conclusion
The incident involving Shambhavi Adhikari at Delhi Airport has now been clarified to reflect that Indian immigration authorities had no role in preventing her from boarding her flight to Germany. The decision was strictly taken by the airline based on visa validity requirements set by the destination country. The prompt clarification by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs helped dispel misconceptions regarding bias or discrimination against Nepali nationals, reaffirming the close and friendly relations between India and Nepal.
For international travelers, this case highlights the importance of careful documentation, understanding the role of airlines in enforcing travel regulations, and the need to adhere to the rules of destination countries. While unfortunate, the incident was handled in line with standard international aviation practices, and Shambhavi Adhikari was able to eventually reach her intended destination after adjusting her travel plans.
The Indian government’s swift response underscores the country’s commitment to transparency, proper communication, and maintaining strong diplomatic and cultural ties with its neighbors, ensuring that transit incidents do not impact the larger relationship between nations.
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