Indian vlogger detained for 15 hours in China over Arunachal posts, MEA lodges protest

Indian vlogger Anant Mittal , known online as On Road Indian , was detained for nearly 15 hours at a Chinese airport after authorities reportedly flagged his social media comments asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is part of India . Mittal later confirmed that he had returned safely to India.

The vlogger, an IIT dropout and extreme traveller with nearly 400,000 YouTube subscribers, said Chinese officials detained him for over 15 hours, during which they checked his phone, confiscated his bag, and denied him food before releasing him. Sharing his experience on social media, Mittal described the episode as emotionally distressing, remarking, ‘Humaari koi aukaat nahi,’ reflecting his sense of helplessness during the ordeal.

The incident follows a November 2025 case in which another Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh was briefly detained in Shanghai , amid ongoing border tensions between India and China. Beijing claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of what it calls southern Tibet , a position firmly rejected by India, which considers the state an integral and inalienable part of its territory.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with Chinese authorities, reiterating India’s sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh and seeking assurances that Indian citizens will not be subjected to harassment or arbitrary detention while travelling or transiting through China.

The episode has sparked public concern and debate in India, with calls for stronger protection of Indian nationals abroad and possible updates to travel advisories. Analysts say such incidents risk further straining already fragile India-China relations, particularly at a time when both sides claim to be working towards stability along the Line of Actual Control .