New Delhi: In a poignant response to the online vitriol that followed her harrowing experience at a Shanghai airport, Pema Wang Thongdok, a professional from Arunachal Pradesh, has issued a stirring plea for national solidarity. The finance executive, who does not reside in India, emphasized that any diplomatic response from New Delhi serves the collective honor of all citizens, not just her personal grievance.
Thongdok’s ordeal unfolded on November 21 during a layover en route from London to Japan. What should have been a brief three-hour stop at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport turned into an 18-hour detention after immigration officers scrutinized her Indian passport. Spotting Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace, they declared the document invalid, asserting that the northeastern state belongs to China. She recounted how officials seized her passport, barred her from boarding her connecting flight—despite a valid Japanese visa—and denied her access to food or basic amenities.
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In a further indignity, Thongdok alleged that both officers and staff from China Eastern Airlines ridiculed her, even proposing she apply for a Chinese passport instead. Stranded and unable to rebook flights independently, she relied on a friend in the UK to alert the Indian Consulate in Shanghai. Only late that night was she permitted to continue her journey.
The episode, which Thongdok framed as a blatant affront to India’s territorial integrity, drew swift condemnation from New Delhi. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India,” dismissing Beijing’s assertions as futile. India lodged formal protests in both capitals, with government sources describing the incident as “ludicrous” and “unacceptable,” citing unnecessary obstructions to a traveler with valid credentials.
Back home, Thongdok’s account sparked widespread support but also drew trolls on social media. In a post on X late Tuesday, the low-profile executive—whose demanding career leaves little room for online skirmishes—thanked her well-wishers while dismissing detractors. “I would like to thank everyone speaking in support of this diplomatic issue, and while I’m new here and not active on X, it’s because I have a very high-profile full-time position working in the financial services and don’t have idle time to answer trollers,” she wrote.
She made clear that engaging critics was pointless: The discerning already grasp the implications, she noted, while others warrant no response. Above all, Thongdok urged Indians to close ranks. “We are one nation we stand for one another,” she declared, adding that governmental actions on such matters bolster the pride of fellow Indians and Arunachalis alike, beyond her own circumstances.
Her words resonate amid ongoing border frictions, underscoring how personal encounters can spotlight enduring geopolitical tensions. As investigations continue, Thongdok’s message stands as a reminder of the bonds that define a diverse democracy.
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