India has strongly condemned the arbitrary detention of Pema Wangjom Thongdok, a citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, by Chinese authorities at Shanghai International Airport, where she was held for nearly 18 hours after her Indian passport was reportedly deemed invalid due to her birthplace. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India, reiterating that its residents are entitled to hold and travel with Indian passports. This incident, which has heightened diplomatic tensions, underscores China’s ongoing challenge to India’s territorial sovereignty, as evidenced by their historical claims over Arunachal Pradesh, referred to by Beijing as South Tibet. India’s firm diplomatic protest, including a strong demarche lodged with the Chinese government, signals a robust response to uphold its citizens’ rights and international norms, while simultaneously addressing broader concerns regarding China’s aggressive border policies and practices, such as issuing stapled visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh. The situation has drawn significant public and governmental attention, prompting reactions that could further strain Indo-Chinese relations amidst ongoing efforts to restore diplomatic normalcy.