NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over the treatment meted out to a resident of Arunachal Pradesh transiting through the Shanghai airport, India has sought assurances from Beijing that its citizens will not be selectively harassed.The govt had earlier registered strong protest with China for the detention of the Indian woman, reiterating its position that the north-eastern state is an integral and inalienable part of India and no amount of denial by China would change this reality.
“We expect Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed…” said external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
MEA: Exercise caution while going to China
Regulations governing international air travel would be respected by the Chinese side,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.“MEA would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to or transiting through China,” he added.
Denying that the woman was harassed, the Chinese foreign ministry had earlier said that having border checks on people entering and exiting a country and carrying out law enforcement according to the “specific situation of the entry or exit is the usual practice” of border enforcement authorities of countries across the world. Beijing claims that Arunachalbelongs to China.Responding to a question about China’s readiness to work with India and Russia, the official said that India’s ties with China have been improving and that is the direction India wants the relationship headed in.
