NEW DELHI: India has vehemently rebuffed China’s recent actions of renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh, denouncing them as “senseless attempts” that hold no sway over the region’s sovereignty.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a firm statement reaffirming that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India, and China’s efforts to rename places within the state will not alter this reality.
“China has persisted with its senseless attempts to rename places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. We firmly reject such attempts. Assigning invented names will not alter the reality that Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India,” stated the MEA.
China’s recent move, releasing a fourth list of 30 new names for various places in Arunachal Pradesh, drew strong opposition from India, despite past objections. The implementation measures, set to take effect from May 1, include directives against quoting or translating place names in foreign languages without authorization, citing concerns over territorial claims and sovereignty rights.
In response to China’s actions, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is and will forever remain an integral part of India.
“If I change the name of your house, will it become mine? Arunachal Pradesh was an Indian state, is an Indian state and will remain so in the future. Nothing will be gained by changing names,” Minister Jaishankar affirmed.
The tensions between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh escalated following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the region on March 9, during which he inaugurated the Sela Tunnel at an altitude of 13,000 feet. Beijing responded by reasserting claims over the area.
Furthermore, the United States, through a spokesperson, reiterated its recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and voiced strong opposition against any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims over it.
The steadfast stance taken by India, supported by international allies, underscores the nation’s commitment to defending its territorial integrity and sovereignty against external encroachments.
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