Delhi considers retaliatory action against China’s territorial claims by renaming Indian sites.

India is considering a tit-for-tat response to China’s recent move to rename places along the disputed boundary between the two nations. New Delhi is studying a proposal to rename around 30 places claimed by India but occupied by China. This response comes after Beijing renamed 62 places in Arunachal Pradesh in the past seven years to assert its territorial claims.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs of the Chinese Government recently standardized the names of 30 places in Arunachal Pradesh in Mandarin, Tibetan, and Roman alphabets, further challenging India’s territorial claim. The ongoing stand-off between the Indian Army and China’s PLA in Ladakh adds tension to the situation.

The Indian government is evaluating the proposal thoroughly, considering its implications on the country’s stance on Tibet. Despite recognizing Tibet as a part of China in a previous declaration, India continues to support the Dalai Lama and host the Tibetan Government in Exile. The decision on the renaming exercise will be made carefully after analyzing all factors.

This escalating issue highlights the complex territorial disputes between India and China, with both nations claiming areas as part of their sovereign territory. The outcome of this proposed renaming strategy could have significant diplomatic repercussions for both countries.

Published on 11 June 2024, at 18:30 IST.