China’s New Provocation on Arunachal! Renames 27 Indian Locations- India Hits Back: Changing Names Won’t Change Reality

International News:The border dispute between India and China has once again deepened. This time the root of the dispute is - China has given new names to 27 places in Arunachal Pradesh. 26 of these places are considered to be India's control. India has reacted sharply by denying China's move and termed it as 'ridiculous' and 'meaningless'.

China released new list of China

The Ministry of Civil Affairs of China has recently released new names for 27 places there, describing Arunachal Pradesh as 'Zhanganan' i.e. 'South Tibet'. This includes:

• 15 mountains
• 5 residential areas
• 4 pass
• 2 rivers
• 1 lake

These names have been published in the Chinese language, Tibetan language and Roman Pinyin (Roman version of Mandarin). Along with this, high-resolution maps and accurate geographical coordinates have also been shared. China claimed that the nomenclature was done under the geographical name policy of its State Council.

India reacted sharply

India strictly dismissed this move of China, saying that only changing names cannot be changed. A spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs clarified, "The creative nomenclature does not change the truth that Arunachal Pradesh was, and will be an integral and inseparable part of India."

Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also said that he had taken a sarcasm on this strategy of China and said, "If I change the name of your house, will it be mine?"

Impact on diplomatic relationships

This nomenclature has been done at a time when India and China are trying to improve mutual relations. Last year, there were talks towards calming the border dispute between the two countries. Steps such as making the visa process easier and re -launching of direct flights were also discussed. China also approved the resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

But now this latest step of China has created an atmosphere of mistrust between the two countries and it can have a negative impact on diplomatic relations.

Names have changed before

This is not the first time China has changed the names of the places of Arunachal Pradesh:

• 2017: 6 places
• 2021: 15 places
• 2023: 11 places
• March 2024: 30 places
• May 2025: 27 places

Most of these locations come to the Indian part of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). According to Indian media reports, the Indian Army's Information Warfare Wing also suggested new names in 30 places in the Tibet region in 2023, but no public list was released.

No name, land decides reality

India has made it clear that it will not be affected by this 'naming strategy' of China. Arunachal Pradesh is and will remain an integral part of India. No matter how much China changes, it will neither change the diplomatic truth nor historical facts. This fresh developments can once again cause stress in India-China relations, and can make the process of restoration of trust between the two countries difficult.