India has issued a strong diplomatic demarche to China after a UK-based Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was detained for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong Airport due to China’s refusal to recognise Arunachal Pradesh as part of India.

India’s Diplomatic Response

• Strong Demarche: India issued a strong demarche in both Beijing and New Delhi on the same day, protesting the mistreatment of an Indian national.
• Consular Assistance: Six officials from the Indian Consulate in Shanghai reached the airport, provided food, and attempted to secure clearance for her onward journey.
• Sovereignty Assertion: The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that “Arunachal Pradesh is indisputably Indian territory and its residents are fully entitled to Indian passports.”
• Violation of Aviation Conventions: India highlighted that China’s actions violated the Chicago Convention (1944) and Montreal Convention (1999), which require non-discriminatory transit rights and protection of international passengers.

What is a Demarche ?

• Definition: A Demarche is a formal diplomatic communication issued by one government to another to convey a protest, request, warning, or policy position.
• Purpose: It is used to express concerns, seek explanations, urge action, or register official objections on bilateral or international matters.
• Mode of Delivery: A Demarche is usually delivered by a diplomat or embassy official through an official note, a verbal statement, or a formal meeting with the host government.
• Nature of the Act: It is part of standard diplomatic practice and is non-confrontational but firm, aiming to influence or clarify government actions through official channels.

India–China Border Dispute (Arunachal Pradesh) 

• China’s Position: 
  • Zangnan Claim: China calls Arunachal Pradesh “Zangnan” and claims it as part of “South Tibet.”
  • McMahon Line Rejection: China disputes the McMahon Line as a legal boundary and did not accept the 1914 Simla Convention.
• India’s Position: 
  • Sovereignty Assertion: India administers Arunachal Pradesh as a northeastern state and asserts it is an integral part of the country.

Past Chinese Actions Targeting Arunachal Residents

• Stapled Visas: China issued stapled visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir to question their citizenship.
• Renaming Exercises: China repeatedly issues lists renaming towns, mountains, and rivers in Arunachal Pradesh to reinforce territorial claims.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books

Visit PW Store

Important Border Agreements

• Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity (1993): First major agreement; recognized the need to maintain peace along the LAC pending final resolution.
• Agreement on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in the Military Field (1996): Set limits on military forces, prohibited firing/explosives near LAC, and established military-to-military protocols.
• Political Parameters & Guiding Principles (2005): Provided broad principles for a final boundary settlement, including no population exchange and importance of settled populations (relevant for Arunachal).
• Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) (2012): Set up a dedicated mechanism for day-to-day border management, crisis handling, and enhancing communication between both sides.

DOWNLOAD PDF