Inalienable part: MEA as China says never recognised Arunachal

Hours after China asserted that it has never recognised Arunachal Pradesh, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the state was an integral and inalienable part of India, and this was a self-evident fact. “No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality,” he added.

The MEA also took up the detention of an Indian woman at the Shanghai airport, saying, “Chinese authorities have still not been able to explain their actions, which are in violation of several conventions governing international air travel. The actions by the Chinese authorities also violate their own regulations that allow visa-free transit up to 24 hours for nationals of all countries,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning referred Arunachal Pradesh as “Zangnan, China’s territory” and rejected allegations that the passenger, who was on transit from London to Japan, had been detained for 18 hours simply because her Indian passport mentioned Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace.

“According to what we’ve learnt, China’s border inspection authorities carried out checks in accordance with laws. The law enforcement was impartial and non-abusive, the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected, no compulsory measures were taken on her and there was no so-called ‘detaining’ or ‘harassing’,” Mao said.

She added that the airline had provided the traveller with rest facilities and meals, and urged media to seek further details from “competent authorities”.

Pema Wang Thongdok had alleged that Chinese officials detained her for 18 hours on November 21, prompting the Indian consular staff to intervene. The Indian side, in its demarche, highlighted that the actions of the Chinese authorities are in contravention of the Chicago and Montreal Conventions related to civil aviation. “At a time when both sides are working on restoring normalcy, such actions by the Chinese side introduce unnecessary obstructions,” the official said.

China’s latest comments also triggered sharp reactions back home. The Congress hit out at Beijing’s formulation on Arunachal, calling it “extremely offensive” and “an insult to India”. “China is not desisting from its nefarious activities… The government should lodge a strong protest,” the party posted on X.