New Delhi/Washington, Apr 5 (UNI): The US has said it recognises Arunachal Pradesh as a part of India and it strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by renaming localities, following China’s attempt at “renaming” 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing calls southern Tibet.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre, in response to a query on what is the US’ view on China renaming 11 places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, said:
“…the United States, as you know, has recognized that territory for a long time. And we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by renaming localities. And so, again, this is something that we have long stood by,” she said.
Her response came as Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Tuesday, commenting on the reasoning behind China’s move to rename the 11 places in the northeastern Indian state, said in Beijing, that it is “within China’s sovereign rights”.
“Zangnan is part of China’s territory. In accordance with relevant stipulations of the administration of geographical names of the State Council, competent authorities of the Chinese government have standardized the names of some parts of Zangnan. This is within China’s sovereign rights,” she said.
“Zangnan” is Beijing’s name for what it calls the southern part of Tibet, the area falling in Arunachal Pradesh, which it lays claim to.
On Tuesday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs had strongly rejected China’s attempt at “renaming” 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, in a statement, said that attempts by China to “assign invented names will not alter this reality” of Arunachal Pradesh being an integral part of India.
The statement read: “We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has made such an attempt. We reject this outright. Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Attempts to assign invented names will not alter this reality.”
China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs released the standardised names in Chinese for 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, which it referred to as “Zangnan”.
The names were released in Chinese, Tibetan, and Pinyin characters following regulations on geographical names issued by the State Council, China’s cabinet.
The list includes precise coordinates for two land areas, two residential areas, five mountain peaks, and two rivers, along with their subordinate administrative districts.
