'I Kept Pleading, Still In Trauma': Indian Vlogger Anant Mittal On Being Detained In China

Last Updated:December 24, 2025, 16:49 IST

Anant Mittal, known online as On Road Indian, told CNN-News18 that he was not given food during the detention and received only a small quantity of water.

Vlogger Anant Mittal is known online as On Road Indian.

Indian travel vlogger Anant Mittal, who was detained in China for nearly 15 hours, said he was left exhausted and scared after the incident. Anant Mittal, known online as On Road Indian, told CNN-News18 that he was not given food during the detention and received only a small quantity of water after persistent requests. He said the prolonged ordeal left him physically drained and mentally shaken.

“They didn’t give me food. After a lot of pleading they gave me 300–400 grams of water. They checked my bag- I had nothing illegal," Anant Mittal said. He described reaching a point of extreme exhaustion.

“I was not able to speak after a few hours, I was so exhausted. I kept pleading. It was bad for me. I have been visiting China for the last six years," he added.

Anant Mittal said he later removed a video he had posted on Arunachal Pradesh, fearing further personal consequences.

“I removed the video as it can cause an issue to me personally. I am still in trauma," he said.

Anant Mittal was stopped at immigration immediately upon entering China. In a video shared on Instagram, he said a sticker placed on his passport triggered an alert in the system, following which an officer escorted him to a detention area where several other foreign nationals were being held. When no one spoke to him for nearly two hours, Anant Mittal said he realised the situation was serious. He was later taken to another room where officials seized his phone and camera to prevent him from recording. He said they overlooked his iPad, which allowed him to document parts of his experience.

According to Anant Mittal, hours passed without any explanation. He repeatedly asked for water and food, but said he was given water only once.  He said fear set in as time went by.

“Twelve hours passed, then 13," he said, adding that he broke down as he connected his detention to a video he had posted supporting an Arunachal Pradesh citizen detained in China.

The vlogger stressed that he has no political affiliations and no hostile intent.

“I have no hate for anyone. I just love everyone and share this world with you through my eyes. I’m not linked to any political agenda," he wrote on Instagram.

After nearly 15 hours, Anant Mittal said a Chinese officer returned and calmly informed him that his “process" was complete and that he had to leave the country.

Anant Mittal confirmed that he is now back in India and has uploaded the full account of the incident on YouTube. He said the video was not recorded under pressure.

“I’m already back in India safely. I’m not uploading this video under any pressure. I’m just speaking from the heart to everyone. Namaste," he wrote.

Reflecting on the experience, Anant Mittal said he blamed himself for posting the Arunachal video and hoped that both Indian and Chinese authorities would understand the fear he went through.

“Hum bahot chhote log hain. Humaari koi aukaat nahi," he said, reiterating that he is only a travel vlogger who wants to show the world through his journeys.

News india 'I Kept Pleading, Still In Trauma': Indian Vlogger Anant Mittal On Being Detained In China

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