India Responds to China's Renaming of Arunachal Pradesh Locations with Official Map Update

India's Official Map Update Amidst China's Renaming Efforts

New Delhi: In response to China's ongoing practice of renaming locations in Arunachal Pradesh, India has officially recognized 27 places in the state by their established names on the national map as of Friday.

An official statement indicated that this formal identification on the Survey of India map aims to enhance public awareness and ensure accurate recognition of these locations.

India has consistently rejected China's attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh, labeling such actions as 'futile and absurd' and reaffirming that the state 'was, is, and will always be' an integral part of India.

Among the 27 locations now marked on India's official map is Long Ju, situated along the Line of Actual Control, which was a significant flashpoint during the 1959 conflict when Chinese forces entered the area.

The map also highlights Maja, a village near Long Ju in the Upper Subansiri district.

Included in the list are strategically vital high-altitude mountain passes such as Dzo La, Riza La, and Pukur La, along with Bisa village.

Thag La, another crucial high-altitude pass where early battles between Indian and Chinese forces occurred in 1962, has also been officially recognized.

Jairampur, a key logistics hub in Changlang district, serves as a gateway to the eastern border region, facilitating the movement of security forces towards eastern Arunachal and the Myanmar border.

The list further encompasses Sambho Sarovar (a high-altitude lake), Bara Kundun, Chhota Kundun in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, and several villages including Dhan Bari, Pritnagar, Teritnagar, Ramnagar, and Jaswant Garh, which honors Indian martyr Jaswant Singh Rawat on Tawang Road.

Additionally, the Sher-e-Thapa Memorial, dedicated to 1962 war hero Trilok Singh Thapa, along with Chhota Ropuk, Bara Ropuk, Shivaji Nagar, Sunpura, Kamlang Nagar near the Kamlang sanctuary, and Buddhamandir are also included.

India has been dismissing China's attempts to assign 'imaginary names' to Indian territories, asserting that such efforts to fabricate 'baseless narratives' cannot change the 'undeniable reality' and may hinder the normalization of bilateral relations.

The Chinese Civil Affairs Ministry first published a list of standardized names for six locations in Zangnan in 2017, followed by a second list of 15 names in 2021, and another list with 11 names in 2023.

Zangnan is the Chinese designation for Arunachal Pradesh.