Jaishankar dismisses China's claims on Arunachal: 'Changing names doesn't change ownership'

External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, dismissed China's claims on Arunachal Pradesh. 

He stated that changing the name of a place does not change its ownership. He asserted that Arunachal Pradesh has been, is, and will always remain a part of India. 

On China's claim regarding Arunachal Pradesh, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "If today I change the name of your house, will it become mine? Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be a state of India. Changing names does not have an effect...Our army is deployed there (Line of Actual Control)..."

He also mentioned that the Indian Army is stationed at the Line of Actual Control.

Over the weekend, China released another list of geographical names for Zangnan, a region it recognises but is known as Arunachal Pradesh in India. 

Also Read: Arunachal: China releases 30 more names for places

This action comes amidst an ongoing dispute between China and India over the latter's frontier state. 

The Chinese state mouthpiece reported that the Ministry of Civil Affairs has released the fourth list of standardised geographical names for the region, adding thirty new publicly used names. 

The Chinese government had previously standardised 11 names in the region using Chinese characters, Tibetan and pinyin in April 2023, which was the third list. 

The first list was released in 2017, and the second in 2021. 

These implementation measures will take effect from May 1, 2024, and the government has stated that foreign language place names that could potentially harm China's territorial claims and sovereignty rights must not be quoted or translated without authorisation. 

Earlier this month, China reiterated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, referring to it as an 'inherent part of China's territory'. 

It has expressed its firm opposition to the 'so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India'. 

It had also protested against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh for the inauguration of the Sela Tunnel.