Beijing, August 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
China’s repeated attempts to assign alternative names to places in Arunachal Pradesh have once again come under scrutiny, with India formally identifying 27 locations and geographical features in the state by their standard names on the official Survey of India map.
The move, announced on August 7, came against the backdrop of Beijing’s continuing publication of what it describes as “standardised” names for locations in Arunachal Pradesh, which China refers to as “Zangnan”. New Delhi has consistently rejected the Chinese naming exercises, maintaining that such measures cannot alter the territorial status of the Indian state.
The Indian government said the 27 locations were identified in consultation with the Arunachal Pradesh government to facilitate their accurate identification and improve public awareness. The list includes Longju, Maja, Bisa, Dzo La, Riza La, Pukur La, Thag La, Sambho Sarovar, Jaswant Garh and the Sher-e-Thapa Memorial, among others.
The latest Indian exercise follows China’s release in April of its sixth batch of standardised names for places in the region. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun defended the move, saying that naming places in what Beijing calls Zangnan falls within China’s claimed sovereign rights.
The contrasting positions underline the limits of cartographic measures in resolving a longstanding territorial dispute. The publication of alternative names does not, by itself, change administrative control, governance or the situation on the ground.
The issue has gained additional significance amid renewed attention to developments around Taksing in Arunachal Pradesh. Recent reports of alleged Chinese activity in the area have been disputed, with Indian officials cautioning against unverified claims, while China has described the broader border situation as generally stable. Reuters has reported concerns raised by local groups as well as India’s emphasis on maintaining peace along the disputed frontier.
The naming controversy has also emerged ahead of the BRICS Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12-13, with Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to attend.
India has maintained that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country and has stressed that peace and tranquillity along the border are important for the broader relationship with China.
For New Delhi, therefore, the more consequential response lies beyond competing place names. Infrastructure, connectivity, civilian development, logistics, intelligence and effective administration in border areas remain central to establishing a durable presence.
China may continue to publish alternative names for locations in Arunachal Pradesh, but nomenclature alone cannot settle a boundary dispute. Ultimately, territorial claims are tested by established facts, administration and negotiations rather than by the frequency with which a name appears on a map.
FOLLOW NOW
