GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th May — India has strongly condemned China’s latest move to rename several locations in Arunachal Pradesh, firmly rejecting what it called “preposterous” and “vain” attempts to assert territorial claims. The statement came following Beijing’s announcement of new Chinese names for places in Arunachal Pradesh, a state which China claims as part of “southern Tibet.”
In a sharp response, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said such symbolic acts would have no impact on the ground reality.
“We have noticed that China has persisted with its vain and preposterous attempts to name places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh,” Mr. Jaiswal stated in a media briefing. “Consistent with our principled position, we reject such attempts categorically.”
China’s actions are seen as part of a pattern to reinforce its claims on Indian territory by renaming geographical features. This marks yet another round of tensions between the two Asian powers, whose border disputes—particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)—have flared in recent years, including the deadly Galwan clash in 2020.
Mr. Jaiswal reaffirmed India’s sovereign stance on the matter, saying:
“Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.”
This is not the first time China has released a list of renamed locations. Earlier in 2017, 2021, and 2023, similar announcements were made by Beijing, each time drawing strong rebuttals from New Delhi.
India maintains that such actions violate the sanctity of established borders and international norms. Experts view China’s move as part of its broader strategy to assert territorial dominance through cartographic and linguistic tools rather than diplomatic resolution.
The Indian government has reiterated its commitment to protecting its territorial integrity and urged China to respect mutual agreements and protocols in place to maintain peace along the border.
With relations between the two nations already strained, China’s unilateral renaming efforts are likely to further complicate dialogue over unresolved border disputes. However, India’s firm stance signals no shift in its long-standing position on Arunachal Pradesh.
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