India advises citizens to exercise ‘due discretion’ when travelling to or transiting through China

New Delhi, Dec 8: MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Monday said India shared concerns raised after the incident of temporary detention of an Indian passenger around two weeks ago, travelling with complete documents.

“We fully share your concern following the recent incident at Shanghai airport that you have cited. We expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed and that regulations governing international air travel would be respected by the Chinese side. MEA would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while traveling to or transiting through China,” Jaiswal said addressing a media briefing and replying to a question of a journalist on Monday.

Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian passport holder from Arunachal Pradesh, was questions for long hours in late November who had described facing a “long ordeal” at Shanghai while transiting through China airport.

She was mocked by immigration officials who questioned her Indian citizenship.

Her 18-hour detention ended only after intervention by Indian missions in Shanghai and Beijing. India issued strong démarches in both capitals immediately after the incident.