New Delhi: The Indian government has strongly raised the issue of the detention of an Indian citizen at Shanghai International Airport with Chinese authorities, reaffirming that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. The matter, which drew attention in recent days, concerns an Arunachal Pradesh-born woman who was reportedly detained and harassed at Shanghai airport due to the mention of her place of birth.

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Lok Sabha on Friday that the Indian government had taken immediate diplomatic steps with Beijing to address the incident and ensure the safety and rights of the citizen in question. Singh’s statement came in response to parliamentary queries regarding whether the government was aware of the incident and the steps taken to address it.

Details of the Incident

According to the minister, the Indian citizen, who holds a valid passport, was transiting through Shanghai International Airport en route to Tokyo via Seoul. During this transit, she was detained arbitrarily, reportedly because of her place of birth being listed as Arunachal Pradesh. While the exact duration of the detention or the nature of questioning remains unclear, the incident raised concerns given the backdrop of China’s longstanding territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers to as ‘South Tibet’.

India has consistently rejected these claims, maintaining that Arunachal Pradesh is a fully sovereign and integral part of India, and this position has been reiterated at multiple international forums over the years.

Diplomatic Response

Minister Singh stated that the issue was taken up strongly with the Chinese side in both New Delhi and Beijing. The Indian government reiterated its firm position that Arunachal Pradesh’s status as part of India is indisputable and cannot be questioned under any circumstances.

Singh emphasised that India places the highest priority on the safety, security, and well-being of its citizens abroad. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) ensures that Indian Missions and Posts remain vigilant and monitor any incident affecting Indian nationals in foreign countries. In cases of harassment or detention, Indian authorities immediately engage with the relevant foreign authorities and provide all possible consular assistance to safeguard the rights and welfare of Indian citizens.

Context of Arunachal Pradesh Dispute

The incident occurs against the backdrop of China’s historical territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which India consistently rejects. China has often referred to the state as South Tibet, a claim that India has repeatedly dismissed, asserting the state’s full integration within India’s territorial boundaries.

Arunachal Pradesh has been recognised as a state of India since 1987 and is represented in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, functioning under India’s constitutional and legal framework. The Indian government has always taken a firm stance in international forums, bilateral dialogues, and border negotiations to ensure the territorial integrity of Arunachal Pradesh is not challenged.

Protecting Indian Nationals Abroad

The MEA underlined that incidents involving Indian citizens abroad are handled promptly and with the utmost seriousness. Indian missions and posts provide consular support, legal guidance, and emergency assistance to ensure that citizens’ rights are not violated.

“Indian Missions/Posts abroad render all possible consular assistance to Indian nationals whenever required,” Singh noted, highlighting India’s proactive stance in protecting its citizens against arbitrary detentions or harassment in foreign countries.

Significance of Diplomatic Engagement

The swift action taken by the government demonstrates the importance India attaches to its citizens’ safety overseas, especially in sensitive geopolitical contexts. The detention of an Arunachal Pradesh-born citizen is particularly sensitive given the longstanding territorial dispute between India and China, and the Indian government’s response reflects both diplomatic firmness and concern for individual rights.

By raising the matter in bilateral diplomatic channels, India has reiterated its sovereignty over Arunachal Pradeshwhile ensuring that such incidents do not set a precedent for the mistreatment or harassment of Indian citizens abroad.

Ongoing Vigilance

The MEA emphasized that all Indian missions and posts are tasked with closely monitoring incidents involving Indian nationals and reporting them promptly. This ensures rapid intervention and resolution in cases of harassment, detention, or threats. Indian authorities also maintain regular communication with host governments to protect citizens and clarify India’s official positions on sensitive territorial or geopolitical matters.

Conclusion

The recent detention of an Arunachal Pradesh-born citizen at Shanghai airport underscores the complex interplay of individual rights, diplomatic engagement, and international territorial disputes. The Indian government’s firm response, including raising the matter directly with Beijing and reaffirming Arunachal Pradesh’s integral status, reflects its commitment to both citizen protection and national sovereignty.

India continues to monitor the situation closely and remains resolute in ensuring that its citizens abroad are treated fairly, while its stance on Arunachal Pradesh remains unalterable and undisputed on the international stage.