The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India issued a sharp statement condemning China’s latest move to unilaterally rename several locations in Arunachal Pradesh, a state that Beijing continues to claim as part of “South Tibet.”
On Monday, Chinese state media announced a new list of 30 renamed places in Arunachal Pradesh, including villages, rivers, and mountain passes. This marks the fourth time China has attempted to assert its territorial claim through so-called “standardized geographical names,” in what observers view as a symbolic provocation rather than a substantive policy.
Responding to the announcement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We firmly reject such attempts by China to rename places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Assigning invented names will not alter the fact that Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral part of India.”
India also reiterated that such actions hold no legal standing. “This is not the first time China has made such an attempt. It does not change the ground reality and only serves to escalate tensions,” the MEA added.
This is not an isolated incident. China has previously released similar lists in 2017, 2021, and 2023. Each attempt has been timed around heightened geopolitical tensions, including border stand-offs and diplomatic spats. This most recent list comes just weeks after India conducted military infrastructure upgrades along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and ahead of the 2025 Indian general elections.
India has maintained a consistent policy on Arunachal Pradesh and continues infrastructure and governance initiatives in the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited the state to inaugurate strategic road projects and reassert India’s commitment to development in the border areas.
China’s actions are widely interpreted by defense analysts as a part of its broader “salami-slicing” strategy — making small, incremental moves to assert control over disputed regions without triggering open conflict.
India has also briefed key international partners about the situation. U.S. State Department and several European officials have previously stated that Arunachal Pradesh is recognized as Indian territory and called for resolution of border disputes through dialogue.
As India continues to bolster its presence along the LAC, officials have made it clear that administrative or symbolic changes from Beijing will have no bearing on India’s sovereign claims.
