Chinese Citizen Detained in India, Exposing Gaps in New Delhi’s China Stance

New Delhi — Indian central intelligence agencies have taken over the interrogation of Chinese national Liu Kunjing (49) following his detention near the India–Nepal border, reported Times of India on Thursday. Liu was arrested on November 24 by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the intelligence arm overseeing India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan, along with the Uttar Pradesh Police near Bahraich. He was reportedly found approximately 60 meters inside Indian territory without a valid visa and claimed he was on a “furniture-business” trip to Delhi.

Authorities allege that Liu was videographing sensitive security installations around Border Pillar 651/07, raising national security concerns. During his detention, officials seized three smartphones, a language-translator device, multiple international visas for Pakistan, Nepal, and Vietnam, Chinese bank and ID cards, currencies from multiple countries, and a detailed map of Nepal with marked border locations. The map is currently undergoing forensic examination.

Central intelligence agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Research & Analysis Wing (RAW), are interrogating Liu with translation assistance, as he does not speak Hindi or English. Investigators are assessing whether his activities constitute reconnaissance or espionage. The possession of Pakistani, Chinese, and Nepalese currencies, along with Liu’s prior travel history, has intensified scrutiny.

Contradictions in India’s Diplomatic Claims With China

The detention highlights a broader pattern of targeted actions against Chinese nationals in India, which appears at odds with New Delhi’s claims of “improved” bilateral ties. Earlier in 2025, Chinese nationals were repeatedly detained along the India–Nepal border and in other cities under varying pretexts, including alleged theft or illegal entry. These repeated arrests reflect a pattern of aggressive surveillance and detention practices that contradict the public narrative of stable India-China relations.

Analysts note that India’s ongoing territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh further amplify tensions. Public statements by the Indian Army Chief about improved bilateral relations are often inconsistent with actions on the ground. The detention of Chinese nationals, combined with persistent challenges to China’s territorial assertions, underscores a strategic posture that blends unilateral security enforcement with a carefully curated diplomatic projection.

The Liu Kunjing case coincides with a recent diplomatic protest by India after a Chinese official allegedly harassed an Arunachal Pradesh-born Indian citizen at Shanghai Pudong Airport, highlighting a pattern of tit-for-tat treatment of each other’s nationals.

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Liu remains in custody under India’s Foreigners and Immigration Act, with interrogations ongoing. Observers suggest that these actions expose contradictions in India’s China policy, revealing a delicate balance between public diplomacy and assertive security measures. The case is expected to draw further scrutiny regarding India’s treatment of foreign nationals and its broader strategic objectives along the northern border.