Indian vlogger detained for 15 hours in China for saying Arunachal Pradesh is part of India

Indian travel vlogger Anant Mittal, known for his YouTube channel "On Road Indian," has revealed a harrowing experience of being detained by Chinese authorities during his visit on November 16, 2025. Mittal alleged that he was held for nearly 15 hours at the immigration center after a previous video of his, where he took a firm stand stating "Arunachal Pradesh is part of India," was flagged by the Chinese system. The vlogger, who has no political affiliations, described the ordeal as a consequence of his emotional connection to the North-East, where he studied for several years.

According to Mittal, the trouble began just as he was about to clear immigration. While officers appeared professional at first, they suddenly escorted him to a detention area and seized all his electronic devices, except for his iPad. He was reportedly placed in a room with other migrants and was subjected to hours of psychological stress. Mittal claimed that throughout the 15-hour period, he was offered water only once and was systematically starved while others around him were provided with food.

The situation took a turn when officers confronted him, revealing they were aware of his YouTube channel and the specific video regarding the India-China land dispute. Shaken and tearful, the vlogger admitted in his narrated video that he realized the risks of taking a geopolitical stand while on foreign soil. "I have no right to speak about land disputes while being in their country; my job is just to travel and return home," he said, reflecting on the power disparity between an individual traveler and a state apparatus.

Despite the fear that he might never return to India, Mittal was eventually released after 15 hours, with officers stating his "process" was complete. He has since returned to India and shared the detailed account to warn other content creators about the sensitivities of international travel in disputed zones. While his stance for Arunachal Pradesh earned him praise from Indian followers, the incident has highlighted the increasing digital surveillance faced by travelers at international borders.