India has strongly condemned China's recent attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that such actions will not alter the reality that Arunachal Pradesh "was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India". This firm stance comes in response to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs publishing a list of Chinese and Tibetan names for 27 locations in the region, which includes mountains, residential areas, mountain passes, rivers, and a lake.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that these "vain and preposterous attempts" are rejected categorically, emphasizing that "creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality" of Arunachal Pradesh's status as an integral part of India. This is not the first time China has taken such actions; they have renamed places in Arunachal Pradesh in the past. However, the timing of this latest move is particularly noteworthy, especially after a period of relative calm following border agreements reached in October 2024.
China, on the other hand, maintains that Arunachal Pradesh, which they refer to as "Zangnan" or "Southern Tibet," is part of Chinese territory. They assert that standardizing the names of places within their territory is a sovereign right. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters that "Zangnan is China's territory," and the Chinese government's standardization of names in the area is within the scope of China's sovereignty.
This recent escalation in rhetoric and actions raises concerns about a potential setback in the normalization of India-China relations. While there had been cautious progress in the relationship in the first quarter of 2025, with frequent official exchanges and positive political signaling, disagreements over the territorial dispute continue to be a major friction point. The border dispute between India and China is a long-standing issue, stemming from the British colonial era when the boundaries were not clearly demarcated. The main areas of conflict include Aksai Chin, which China claims as part of Xinjiang, and Arunachal Pradesh, which China refers to as South Tibet.
The India-China border dispute has been a source of friction since the Sino-Indian War in 1962. Despite attempts to maintain peace and tranquility through agreements like the 1993 Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement, tensions persist, with periodic military stand-offs. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) serves as the de facto border, but differing interpretations and claims have led to conflicts. The Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which resulted in casualties on both sides, marked a significant escalation in hostilities.
In response to China's actions, India has also taken steps to block access to the X (formerly Twitter) accounts of Chinese state-owned media outlets in India. This move was reportedly due to these outlets allegedly spreading fake news and propaganda. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has previously stated that renaming places does not change the reality on the ground, emphasizing that Arunachal Pradesh "was, is, and will always be a state of India".
Despite these recent tensions, efforts to improve relations have continued. In April 2025, Jaishankar noted that the relationship was "much better than before," with discussions ongoing regarding issues such as the resumption of direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. However, the latest developments surrounding Arunachal Pradesh highlight the fragility of these improvements and the ongoing challenges in resolving the border dispute. The situation remains complex, with both countries needing to address the territorial dispute while also managing other aspects of their relationship.
