NEW DELHI: Expressing concern regarding the treatment received by a resident of Arunachal Pradesh while transiting through Shanghai airport, India has requested assurances from Beijing that its citizens will not face selective harassment. The government had previously lodged a strong protest with China over the detention of the Indian woman, reaffirming its stance that the northeastern state is an integral and inalienable part of India, and no amount of denial from China can alter this fact.
“We expect Chinese authorities to guarantee that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained, or harassed…” stated Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the external affairs ministry.
MEA: Exercise caution while traveling to China
“Regulations governing international air travel will be respected by the Chinese side,” added MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
“The MEA advises Indian nationals to exercise due discretion when traveling to or transiting through China,” he further noted.
In response to claims of harassment, the Chinese foreign ministry previously stated that conducting border checks on individuals entering and exiting a country and enforcing laws according to the specific circumstances of entry or exit is standard practice for border enforcement authorities worldwide. Beijing asserts that Arunachal Pradesh is part of China. When asked about China’s willingness to collaborate with India and Russia, the official remarked that India’s relations with China have been improving, which aligns with the direction India desires for this relationship.
