A routine three-hour transit in Shanghai turned into an 18-hour nightmare for an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, who was wrongfully detained by Chinese authorities and accused of being Chinese despite carrying a valid Indian passport.
The Harrowing Airport Ordeal
Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a 35-year-old Indian citizen, experienced what she describes as a terrifying detention at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport. What began as a simple transit stop on November 25, 2025, quickly escalated into a nearly 20-hour ordeal that left even this seasoned traveler shaken.
Chinese immigration officials confiscated her passport and refused to accept her Indian citizenship, insisting she was Chinese. The authorities detained her despite her presenting official Indian travel documents clearly establishing her nationality and identity.
Diplomatic Intervention Secures Freedom
The situation only resolved after Indian diplomatic missions in both Shanghai and Beijing intervened aggressively on her behalf. On the same day as the incident, India lodged a formal protest with Chinese authorities, demanding her immediate release and safe passage to continue her journey.
Following intense diplomatic pressure, Chinese authorities finally relented and allowed Thongdok to continue her travel after the prolonged detention that far exceeded her planned three-hour transit window.
Broader Implications for Indian Travelers
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Indian citizens from Arunachal Pradesh when traveling through China. The detention of a passport-holding Indian citizen represents a serious diplomatic concern and raises questions about China's recognition of India's territorial integrity.
The experience of having one's passport confiscated and being detained in a foreign country, particularly China, can be terrifying for any traveler, as Thongdok discovered during her nearly 20-hour ordeal that tested both her patience and her rights as an Indian citizen.
