India on Tuesday (August 11) dismissed China’s objections to New Delhi’s decision to assign standard names to 27 places and geographical features in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the northeastern state is an “inalienable and integral part” of the country.
Addressing the regular press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the status of Arunachal Pradesh was “self-evident” and that nothing could alter the reality.
“Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable and integral part of India. This is a fact that is self-evident. At the same time, we also underline that nothing can change this indisputable reality,” Jaiswal said.
The MEA also underlined the significance of border-related matters in India-China ties, saying issues concerning the border areas are treated with the utmost seriousness and that developments along the frontier have a bearing on bilateral relations.
The remarks came after the MEA said on August 7 that India and China had held discussions to review the overall situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The talks also covered boundary delimitation, border management and trans-border cooperation.
India names 27 places in Arunachal Pradesh
On August 7, the MEA formally identified 27 places and geographical features in Arunachal Pradesh using their standard names, in response to a similar exercise by China.
The locations, spread across the state, include settlements, localities, mountain passes, a lake and a memorial.
According to a Ministry of Home Affairs press release, formally identifying the places on the Survey of India map of Arunachal Pradesh was intended to facilitate their accurate recognition and improve public awareness.
Among the places and geographical features identified are Longju, Maja, Bisa, Dzo La, Riza La, Pukur La, Thag La, Sambho Sarovar and Bara Kundun.
China calls India’s move ‘illegal, null and void’
China has rejected India’s move, describing it as “illegal, null and void”.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing did not recognise Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory. He also said the move would not “change the fact that Zangnan region belongs to India.”
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China’s Civil Affairs Ministry has periodically released Chinese names for different locations in Arunachal Pradesh since 2017 as part of its claims over the region.
The latest set of names announced by Beijing was released in April this year.