Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu strongly condemned the alleged racial mistreatment of a state resident by Chinese immigration authorities at Shanghai Pudong Airport. The incident involved Prema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian citizen originally from Arunachal Pradesh, who was transiting from London to Japan.
Thongdok, who has been living in the United Kingdom for the past 14 years, claimed that she was singled out by immigration staff without explanation. She said an official removed her from the immigration queue and declared her Indian passport “invalid.” According to Thongdok, the officials repeatedly mocked her, questioning her nationality and stating that Arunachal Pradesh is not part of India. Airline staff of China Eastern were also reportedly involved in pointing at her passport and ridiculing the name “Arunachal.”
Describing her ordeal as humiliating and distressing, Thongdok said she was unable to contact her family for several hours. After multiple attempts, she reached out to the Indian embassies in Shanghai and Beijing. Within an hour, officials provided assistance, including food and communication, and helped her leave the airport. “It was an exhausting 18-hour ordeal, but I am relieved to be out,” she said. 
Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed deep shock and called the treatment of Thongdok “unacceptable and appalling.” In a statement on X, Khandu wrote that the racial mockery and humiliation of a valid Indian passport holder violated international norms and was an affront to the dignity of Indian citizens.
He reaffirmed India’s position on Arunachal Pradesh, stating, “Arunachal Pradesh is, and will always be, an integral part of India. Any insinuation otherwise is baseless and offensive.” The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the Ministry of External Affairs will take immediate action to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future.
