In a move that has raised eyebrows and sparked outrage, China has once again unilaterally renamed places in Arunachal Pradesh, a northeastern state of India. This marks the fourth time China has attempted to assert its territorial claims over the region by altering geographical names. Let’s delve into the details and critically examine China’s actions.

The Renaming Saga

1. The Recent Incident:
   • China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs released a list of 30 places along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing refers to as Zangnan.
   • The renamed locations include 11 residential areas, 12 mountains, four rivers, one lake, one mountain pass, and a piece of land.
   • These new names are presented in Chinese characters, Tibetan, and pinyin (the Roman alphabet version of Mandarin Chinese).
   • The ministry even provided detailed latitude and longitude coordinates along with a high-resolution map¹.
2. Historical Context:
   • China’s renaming spree began in 2017, followed by lists in 2021 and 2023.
   • India has consistently rejected these attempts, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country.
   • External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar dismissed China’s claims as “ludicrous” and reaffirmed that Arunachal Pradesh is a natural part of India².
3. The Motivation Behind Renaming:
   • China’s actions are seen as a bid to reinforce its territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh.
   • The controversy escalated when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sela Tunnel at an altitude of 13,000 feet in the state.
   • Beijing lodged a diplomatic protest, and tensions flared¹.
4. India’s Firm Stand:
   • India’s stance remains unwavering: Arunachal Pradesh is integral and inalienable.
   • Assigning “invented” names will not alter this reality.
   • The renaming exercise is a diplomatic maneuver, but it cannot change ground realities¹.

Critique of China’s Actions

1. Unilateral Decision:
   • China’s renaming is a unilateral move, disregarding India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
   • It undermines diplomatic norms and bilateral relations.
2. Historical and Cultural Insensitivity:
   • By renaming places with no regard for local history, culture, or sentiments, China displays a lack of respect.
   • It erases the rich heritage of Arunachal Pradesh’s indigenous communities.
3. Provocative Intent:
   • China’s actions are provocative and aimed at challenging India’s sovereignty.
   • They create unnecessary tensions in an already sensitive border region.
4. International Community’s Response:
   • The international community should condemn such actions that violate established norms.
   • Diplomatic pressure must be exerted on China to respect territorial boundaries.

Conclusion

China’s renaming of Arunachal Pradesh villages is not merely a matter of semantics; it is a calculated move to assert dominance. India’s firm response and the global community’s vigilance are crucial in maintaining peace and stability in the region. As we critique China’s actions, let us reaffirm our commitment to respecting national boundaries and promoting dialogue over confrontation.

Note: The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not represent any official position.