An Indian Passport Holder’s Ordeal in Shanghai
In a world of high-speed travel and digital verification, a passport is a straightforward document—a confirmation of identity and nationality. But for Gyamar Nikum, an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh travelling through China, this fundamental truth was shockingly challenged.
In a distressing incident that has since sparked outrage online, Nikum alleged she was subjected to humiliating harassment at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport. The reason? Her standard-issue Indian passport listed her birthplace as Arunachal Pradesh, a state China baselessly claims as its own territory.
“Invalid” Stamp and Provocative Questions
According to Nikum’s social media posts, which quickly went viral, immigration officers at the airport singled her out for questioning. After scrutinising her passport, an officer allegedly stamped it with the word “invalid.” The harassment didn’t stop there. “Are you from South Tibet?” she was reportedly asked—a direct and provocative reference to China’s fabricated name for Arunachal Pradesh.
This act goes far beyond a simple misunderstanding. It represents a deliberate political statement from a Chinese official, using an ordinary Indian citizen as a pawn. By unilaterally declaring a sovereign nation’s official travel document “invalid” based on a territorial fantasy, the officer escalated a long-standing diplomatic issue into a direct confrontation.
A Pattern of Intimidation and Aggression
This incident is not an isolated one but part of China’s consistent policy of intimidation and cartographic aggression towards India. This policy has historically included:
- Stapled Visas: Issuing stapled, rather than stamped, visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir to avoid officially recognising Indian sovereignty.
- Renaming Places: Periodically releasing lists of “renamed” places in Arunachal Pradesh with Mandarin names that have no historical or local relevance.
The harassment of Ms. Nikum takes this psychological warfare to a new, more personal level. By attempting to invalidate her passport, the Chinese authorities were not just questioning a document; they were attempting to invalidate her identity, her nationality, and the sovereignty of her country.
India’s Unwavering Stance: Arunachal is an Integral Part
India’s position has been crystal clear and unwavering for decades: Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. The Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly dismissed China’s claims and its naming gimmicks as ludicrous and without basis.
However, while diplomatic statements from New Delhi are crucial, the incident in Shanghai highlights the real-world consequences of China’s belligerence. It is the Indian citizen on the ground who often pays the price for these geopolitical games. This incident demands the strongest possible protest from the Indian government to ensure the safety and dignity of its citizens abroad. The message must be clear: the harassment of Indian citizens based on their state of origin is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
For the people of Arunachal Pradesh, who stand as patriotic sentinels on a sensitive frontier, this is a deep and personal insult. China may not need a geography lesson—they know exactly where Arunachal Pradesh is. What they need is a lesson in international law, diplomatic decency, and basic respect for a neighbour’s sovereignty. Gyamar Nikum’s passport is not just paper; it is a testament to her Indian identity, a reality China seems unwilling to accept.
