MEA says attempts to rename Indian territory won’t alter facts, may strain improving relations
April 12, 2026: India on Sunday strongly criticised China for assigning what it called “fictitious names” to places in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that such moves cannot change ground realities. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi “categorically rejects” these “mischievous attempts,” adding that the territories in question “were, are, and will always remain an integral part of India.”
The response comes after Beijing released a fresh list renaming locations in the region it refers to as “Zangnan.” India has consistently opposed such actions, having earlier objected to similar lists issued in 2017, 2021, and 2023. Jaiswal said these efforts only aim to create “false claims” and “baseless narratives,” and urged China to avoid steps that could negatively impact bilateral relations.
Ties between the two countries have remained strained since the 2020 eastern Ladakh standoff, though both sides have recently taken steps to stabilise relations. India warned that repeated attempts to assert claims through renaming exercises could undermine these efforts, even as diplomatic engagement continues to restore normalcy.