India strongly rejected China's explanation regarding the detention of Arunachal Pradesh native Pema Wangjom Thongdok at Shanghai airport, calling Beijing's actions "unhelpful" to ongoing efforts to normalize bilateral ties. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed India lodged strong demarches with China in both Beijing and Delhi immediately after the incident. Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen from West Kameng district living abroad for 14 years, alleged Chinese immigration officials declared her passport "invalid" during a November 21 layover because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace. She was detained, questioned, and prevented from boarding her connecting flight from London to Japan during what should have been a three-hour layover, turning it into a traumatic ordeal. (PC: X)

The government of India on November 26 strongly rejected remarks by Pakistan criticizing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the flag‑hoisting at the Ram Mandir. In a stern response, External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan, with its “deeply stained record of bigotry, repression and systemic mistreatment of minorities,” lacked the moral authority to comment on India’s internal religious and cultural affairs. India dismissed Islamabad’s statement as hypocritical and urged it to focus on its own human‑rights issues instead of intervening in India’s domestic matters. 

India has strongly criticised China for detaining Prema Wangjom Thongdok from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai Pudong Airport. Prema said Chinese officials mocked her nationality, calling her passport “invalid” because her birthplace is Arunachal Pradesh. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the incident “does not help the process of normalising ties.” India lodged a strong protest and stated that “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India.” Prema demanded strict action and said she was held for hours during her transit to Japan. China denied the allegations and claimed the actions followed its regular procedures.

India has strongly criticised Pakistan for its comments on the recent flag-hoisting at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Ministry of External Affairs said Pakistan has “no moral standing” to speak on the issue. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan should look at its own poor human rights record instead of giving “hypocritical” lectures. India rejected Pakistan’s remarks and said the country has a long history of mistreating its minorities. Pakistan had earlier claimed that the flag-hoisting was part of rising pressure on religious minorities and an attempt to erase Muslim heritage. India dismissed these claims completely. (PC: HT)

A team of 19 CISF personnel stopped a major Pakistani attack on the Uri hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir on May 7. The attack came hours after India launched Operation Sindoor, which destroyed nine terror camps in Pakistan. Pakistan responded with heavy shelling and drone strikes aimed at the Uri plant and nearby homes. The CISF team, led by Commandant Ravi Yadav, shot down drones, kept communications active and evacuated 250 civilians to bunkers. Their quick action prevented major damage and saved many lives. All 19 personnel have been honoured for their courage and defence of key national assets. (PC: India Today)

An old photo of Pune resident Rajendra Panchal has resurfaced on social media and is being used to mock Indians. Panchal lived with a fused jaw for 38 years after an accident when he was a baby. He had a rare condition called TMJ ankylosis, which made it hard for him to eat and speak. Doctors at a Pune college later performed a free and complex surgery that helped him open his mouth again. Many users online have condemned the misuse of his old picture and called it racist. They urged platforms to stop such attacks. (PC: HT)

Prema Wangjom Thongdok, from Arunachal Pradesh and living in the UK, was held for 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong airport while transiting from London to Japan. Chinese officials claimed her Indian passport was “invalid” because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace. She said officers mocked her, told her “Arunachal is not part of India,” and suggested she apply for a Chinese passport. Thongdok said she had “no access to food, couldn’t use Google” and was denied boarding despite a valid visa. She contacted the Indian consulate, who helped her leave via Thailand. India lodged a strong protest, calling it humiliating and a challenge to its sovereignty. (PC: HT)

Former US Representative and economist Dr Dave Brat has claimed large-scale fraud in the H-1B visa system. He said on a podcast that Chennai alone received 220,000 H-1B visas, far above the annual US cap of 85,000. Brat argued the system has been taken over by “industrial-scale fraud” and warned that this hurts American workers. His remarks revived older claims by former US diplomat Mahvash Siddiqui, who said most H-1B applications she saw in India involved fake or forged documents. The issue comes as the Trump administration increases scrutiny, even as Trump says skilled workers are still needed. (PC: India Today)

During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan attempted to target India’s Uri hydroelectric plant, but the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) successfully foiled the attack, according to a CISF statement. CISF said 19 of its personnel, under Commandant Ravi Yadav, neutralised hostile drones, reinforced bunkers, redistributed weapons, and evacuated about 250 civilians from nearby residential areas. Thanks to their vigilance and preparation, there were no casualties or major damage to the plant. (PC: HT)

India strongly protested after a UK-based Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh was allegedly detained for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Chinese immigration officials reportedly declared her Indian passport “invalid” because her birthplace was listed as Arunachal Pradesh, claiming it is part of China. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a formal demarche, calling the incident a violation of international aviation norms and China’s own 24-hour visa-free transit policy. India also reaffirmed its position that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, rejecting China’s territorial claim. (PC: The Hindu)