New Delhi: Tensions between India and China have flared anew following the detention of Prema Wangjom Thogdok, an Arunachal Pradesh resident, at Shanghai Airport, where Chinese authorities declared her Indian passport “invalid”, citing Beijing’s claim over the state.
The incident has reignited the long-standing border dispute along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), particularly in Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) lodged a strong protest, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserting, “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India, and no unilateral action by China can change this.”
Thogdok, a 45-year-old teacher, was briefly held before being deported, highlighting China’s provocative stance. The MEA demanded an explanation, warning that such actions jeopardise bilateral ties.
China claims Arunachal Pradesh as “South Tibet”, a narrative India vehemently rejects. The dispute, rooted in the 1962 Sino-Indian War, centres on the 3,488-km LAC, with frequent skirmishes in areas like Tawang and Aksai Chin, where China controls territory India claims. Recent infrastructure buildup by both nations has escalated tensions, despite 29 rounds of border talks yielding little progress.
The Thogdok case has sparked outrage in Arunachal, with Chief Minister Pema Khandu condemning China’s “arrogance”. As India strengthens its LAC defences, experts warn of broader implications for regional stability, urging diplomatic restraint to prevent escalation.