Context : MEA’s Firm Response
- MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal categorically rejected China’s attempt to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Asserted that “creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality” — Arunachal Pradesh is, was, and will remain an integral part of India.
- Emphasized that Arunachal Pradesh is inalienably Indian territory and no external naming can change the ground reality.
Relevance : GS 2(Polity and International Relations)
China’s Repeated Attempts
- China’s Foreign Ministry, through spokesperson Lin Jian, announced “standardisation” of names in Arunachal Pradesh (which it refers to as Zangnan).
- This is part of a pattern of provocation — similar renaming attempts:
- April 2024: ~30 places renamed.
- April 2023: 11 places, including mountain peaks, renamed.
- These actions are aimed at asserting its territorial claim over Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as part of “South Tibet.”
India’s Consistent Position
- India has consistently protested these actions, terming them “vain and preposterous.”
- Maintains that such acts hold no legal or territorial validity.
- Asserts sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh in all diplomatic engagements.
Underlying Geopolitical Context
- Part of broader India-China border tensions, especially post-Galwan (2020).
- China’s renaming is a soft power and cartographic aggression strategy to reinforce its claims.
- India’s strong rebuttal reflects its resolve to maintain territorial integrity and counter information warfare tactics.
Conclusion
- Renaming places is a symbolic move with no impact on sovereignty or legal status.
- India continues to vigilantly guard its borders and respond diplomatically to such provocations.
- The message: Territorial integrity cannot be redrawn through words.
