India advises citizens to exercise caution while travelling to China
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India on Monday issued an advisory asking its citizens to exercise due discretion while travelling to or transiting through China, following the recent detention of an Indian woman at Shanghai airport.
The woman, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh, was stopped on November 21 after Chinese authorities refused to recognise her Indian passport during her transit halt.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has raised the matter with Beijing and expects assurances that Indian travellers will not face arbitrary action at Chinese airports. He said New Delhi expects Chinese authorities to ensure that Indian nationals are not selectively targeted, detained or harassed, and that international air travel regulations are respected.
Jaiswal reiterated that the incident involving the woman from Arunachal Pradesh was unacceptable and that India is seeking clarity and corrective steps from China. He added that, in the current circumstances, Indian nationals should use caution while planning travel to or through Chinese airports.
The advisory marks a rare public caution from New Delhi on travel to China and comes at a time when the two countries continue to navigate a strained relationship following recent border tensions and diplomatic disagreements.