India Shuts Attempts From China To Rename Locations Of Arunachal Pradesh; Calls It ‘Senseless’

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has vehemently opposed recent attempts of China to rename various locations in Arunachal Pradesh, affirming that such actions will not alter the state’s integral status within India. The rejection comes following China’s release of a list containing 30 place names in Arunachal Pradesh, reflecting its persistent efforts to assert sovereignty over the northeastern Indian state.

In an official statement, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, dismissed China’s actions as “senseless attempts” and emphasized that Arunachal Pradesh has always been an inherent and indivisible part of India. This response came amidst media queries regarding China’s renaming endeavors in the region.

China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs issued this fourth list of standardized geographical names, using the term “Zangnan” to refer to Arunachal Pradesh. The list includes 30 additional place names in the region, as reported by the state-run Global Times. Previous lists, released in 2017, 2021, and 2023, have similarly aimed to rename various locations in Arunachal Pradesh.

The implementation measures accompanying this latest list, set to take effect from May 1, 2024, emphasize that foreign language place names that challenge China’s territorial claims or sovereignty rights will not be permitted without authorization.

India has consistently rejected China’s attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterating that such actions hold no bearing on the state’s status as an integral part of India. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju echoed this sentiment, condemning China’s baseless claims and emphasizing that historical facts cannot be altered.

Responding to China’s repeated assertions, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh remains an integral and inalienable part of India, regardless of China’s attempts to assert otherwise. The ministry’s spokesperson affirmed India’s stance on the matter, reiterating the country’s unwavering position regarding the status of Arunachal Pradesh during a recent media briefing.

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