A woman from Arunachal Pradesh was allegedly harrassed and detained at China's Shanghai airport for "eighteen hours" after the authorities refused to recognise her indian passport as valid, claiming that the region "is part of China."

According to the woman, Pem Wang Thongdok, she was at the Shanghai airport for a three-hour transit halt while travelling from London to Japan on November 21.

"After immigration, I submitted my passport and was waiting at security. Just then, an official came and started screaming, 'India, India,' with my name and singled me out. When I asked, she took me to the immigration desk and said, 'Arunachal, not valid passport'," Thongdok was quoted as saying by India Today.

When she questioned why her passport is not valid, the officer allegedly replied, "Arunachal is a part of China. Your passport is invalid."

Thongdok alleged that her passport was withheld, and she was prevented from boarding her onward flight to Japan despite holding a valid visa. She was also unable to rebook tickets, buy meals, or move between terminals.