-
-
China has again asserted claims over Arunachal Pradesh by releasing a fresh list of renamed geographical locations, a move India rejected.
The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs released the fifth batch of standardised names for 27 locations in what it calls Zangnan, a region India governs as Arunachal Pradesh.
The list includes 15 mountains, five residential areas, four mountain passes, two rivers, and one lake.
Reacting to the statement from China, India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral part of India. We categorically reject China’s latest attempt to rename places inside our territory.”
China’s Foreign Ministry defended the renaming, claiming it falls under its sovereign rights. Spokesperson Lin Jian said the naming of places in Zangnan was consistent with China’s historical claims and international law.
China maintains that Arunachal Pradesh is illegally occupied Indian territory, a claim India has repeatedly dismissed.
This is not the first time China has taken such action; earlier, batches of renaming were also firmly rejected by India, which sees these symbolic moves as attempts to undermine its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Experts, including Qian Feng of Tsinghua University, argue the renaming aligns with China’s long-standing border stance, but New Delhi sees it as a provocation that has no legal basis.
The fourth batch of additions to the public use of geographical names in Zangnan was released in March 2024.
