India Stands Firm: Arunachal Pradesh Remains Indivisible, Says India Amidst China’s Naming Dispute
India Rejects China’s Naming Claims in Arunachal Pradesh
India has firmly rebuked China’s latest attempt to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, calling it a futile and absurd endeavor that won’t change the region’s status as an inseparable part of India.
Not a New Standoff
This isn’t the first time Beijing has tried to change names in the region. However, this latest action comes after an October 2024 understanding between India and China to disengage their militaries in Eastern Ladakh. This disengagement led to a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they tasked their top officials to find a solution to the longstanding border dispute.
India’s Strong Response
On Wednesday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement dismissing China’s attempt. They called it “creative naming” and stated unequivocally that Arunachal Pradesh is, was, and always will be an integral and inseparable part of India.
“We have noticed that China has persisted with its vain and preposterous attempts to name places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Consistent with our principled position, we reject such attempts categorically. Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India,” the MEA said.
China’s Perspective
This statement came after Chinese authorities released another list of standardized names for areas within Arunachal Pradesh. China insists that the state is “South Tibet,” a claim India has consistently rejected.
A History of Disputes
India maintains that these renaming exercises are politically motivated and lack any legal standing under international law or bilateral agreements. The MEA reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, categorically rejecting any attempt by China to change facts on the ground through name changes.
Last year in April, both sides engaged in a tit-for-tat renaming of places. China began by giving Chinese names to towns in Arunachal Pradesh, prompting India to retaliate by renaming 30 places in Tibet.
