Strong Rejection From New Delhi
Responding to media queries, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India “categorically rejects” China’s efforts to assign what it described as fictitious names to places within Indian territory. He stressed that these attempts are part of a broader effort to create “false claims and manufactured narratives.”The government made it clear that changing names cannot change facts on the ground. According to the official statement, regions targeted by China including Arunachal Pradesh—“were, are, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.”
Concerns Over Bilateral Relations
India also warned that such actions could negatively impact ongoing efforts to stabilise ties between the two countries. The MEA noted that repeated attempts by China to rename places risk undermining diplomatic progress and mutual trust.Officials urged Beijing to refrain from steps that “inject negativity” into the relationship and hinder attempts to build better understanding between the neighbours.
A Recurring Pattern
This is not the first time China has issued lists renaming locations in Arunachal Pradesh. Reports indicate that Beijing has undertaken similar exercises multiple times over the past decade, often during periods of heightened border tensions.China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as “Zangnan” or “South Tibet” and claims it as part of its territory claims that India has consistently rejected.
India’s Consistent Stance
New Delhi has maintained a steady position on the issue: administrative or cartographic changes by China have no bearing on India’s sovereignty. The government has repeatedly emphasized that such measures are symbolic and cannot alter the legal or historical status of the region.The latest response underscores India’s firm diplomatic posture, signalling that any attempt to challenge its territorial integrity whether through maps or names will continue to be strongly opposed.