New Delhi, Dec 8 (UNI) India today said it expects Beijing to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed, days after an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh was detained in Shanghai airport.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, said at the briefing, that India also hopes that the Chinese side would respect the regulations governing international air travel.
He also reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable part of India and will always remain so.
The MEA also advised Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while traveling to or transiting through China.
The response comes over 10 days after India issued a strong statement slamming Beijing for detaining a woman passenger from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai airport.
The spokesperson said today:
“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.”
Last month, a woman passenger from Arunachal Pradesh, transiting through China, was detained for several hours at Shanghai airport, and kept there until Indian officials arrived there to sort out matters and help her move on with her journey.
The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson had stated that Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing refers to as South Tibet, is Chinese territory.
She had said: “Zangnan is China’s territory. The Chinese side has never recognized the so-called “Arunachal Pradesh” illegally set up by India.”
The MEA spokesperson also said that India’s ties with China, following the understanding reached between the two sides, are going forward in a positive direction.
