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India rejects China's renaming areas of Arunachal Pradesh (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: India on Sunday firmly dismissed China’s latest attempt to rename locations in Arunachal Pradesh, terming it a “mischievous attempt” to distort facts. The response came from the Ministry of External Affairs, which reiterated that such actions have no bearing on India’s sovereignty.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that assigning “fictitious names” to Indian territory does not change the reality on the ground. He emphasised that Arunachal Pradesh “was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.”
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India also warned that such moves undermine ongoing efforts to stabilise ties with China. Officials noted that repeated attempts to assert claims through renaming only add friction to an already sensitive relationship.
Our response to media queries regarding China giving fictitious names to places ⬇️
🔗 https://t.co/j6WPzitrh2 pic.twitter.com/NDK1ZACyUZ
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) April 12, 2026
Jaiswal urged Beijing to avoid actions that “inject negativity” into bilateral engagement, especially at a time when both countries are attempting to maintain stability along disputed borders.
The diplomatic response comes alongside reports that China has created a new administrative county named “Cenling” in the Xinjiang region. The county is located near the strategically sensitive areas bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The move is being viewed as geopolitically significant due to its proximity to the Karakoram Range and key border zones. It also marks the third such administrative reorganisation in Xinjiang within a little over a year.
China has repeatedly renamed locations in Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers to as “Zangnan,” particularly during periods of diplomatic strain. Similar exercises were carried out in 2017, 2021, 2023, and 2024.
India had earlier rejected a 2025 attempt to rename multiple places in the state, calling it “preposterous.” These actions are widely seen as part of a broader strategy to reinforce territorial claims through symbolic measures.
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The latest development comes amid continuing tensions along the Line of Actual Control, especially in eastern Ladakh. While diplomatic and military talks have led to partial disengagement in some areas, the broader dispute remains unresolved.
India has consistently maintained that unilateral actions cannot alter established boundaries or facts on the ground, reinforcing its stance on territorial integrity.
