In a strong response to China’s recent move to assign new names to certain locations in Arunachal Pradesh, India has labeled these actions as ‘mischievous attempts’ that seek to distort historical realities. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed discontent over Beijing’s attempts to create fictitious narratives regarding Indian territory.
On Sunday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that China’s actions would not change the fact that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. ‘These attempts to introduce false claims cannot alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain Indian territory,’ he asserted. Jaiswal further emphasized that such actions by China hinder the ongoing efforts to stabilize and normalize bilateral relations.
The ongoing tensions between India and China have a long history, particularly regarding territorial claims in regions like Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing refers to as ‘South Tibet’. This latest move by China is not an isolated incident; it follows a pattern of attempts to rename places in territories that India firmly considers its own. Notably, China has a history of asserting territorial claims over significant portions of Arunachal Pradesh, further complicating diplomatic relations.
India and China have recently seen a thaw in relations, with both nations working towards better understanding and cooperation. The Ministry of External Affairs urged China to refrain from engaging in actions that could inject negativity into their bilateral relations. The spokesperson highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive trajectory in interactions, especially as both countries strive to address various regional challenges.
This diplomatic tussle comes at a time when China has also announced the creation of a new county, Cenling, in its Xinjiang province, adjacent to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Afghanistan. Analysts suggest this move is aimed at enhancing security in the strategically significant Wakhan Corridor, an area of interest for regional stability. India’s Ministry of External Affairs reiterated its stance, making it clear that it would continue to assert its sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh regardless of external pressures.
