26 November,2025 10:29 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an “integral and inalienable” part of India. File pic
India on Wednesday said China's "arbitrary actions", including the recent incident involving a woman traveller from Arunachal Pradesh detained at Shanghai Airport, undermine ongoing efforts to rebuild mutual trust and understanding between the two countries, news agency PTI reported.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) underlined that the "maintenance of peace and tranquillity" in border regions remains essential for the overall development of India-China relations.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, referring to the "arbitrary detention" of Indian citizen Pema Wang Thongdok, reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an "integral and inalienable" part of India, PTI reported.
"No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality," he said.
Thongdok alleged that Chinese immigration officials detained her for 18 hours at Shanghai Airport on November 21 during a transit halt, claiming that they refused to recognise her Indian passport because her birthplace is Arunachal Pradesh.
On Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the allegations and said the actions were in accordance with regulations. It also repeated its unfounded claims over Arunachal Pradesh. MEA countered with a statement firmly rejecting China's position.
"Arbitrary actions by China, as the one I referred to involving an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, are most unhelpful towards efforts being made by both sides to build mutual trust and understanding, and gradually move towards normalisation of bilateral relations," Jaiswal said.
India-China ties have been severely strained since the border standoff in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020. Over recent months, however, both sides have taken steps to stabilise and normalise relations following the end of the military face-off in October last year.
"We want to say that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a fact which is self-evident," Jaiswal reiterated. "No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality."
He further stated that peace along the Line of Actual Control is the foundation on which all other aspects of India-China ties are built. "Both sides have worked closely to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border regions. And it is on this basis that progress - especially people-centric engagements - has been made."
In recent months, India and China have agreed on several measures aimed at rebuilding trust. These include the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, restarting direct flights, commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, and easing visa procedures. Direct flights between the two countries resumed in October.
(With PTI inputs)
