'Wish to tell China that ...': Rajnath Singh on Beijing renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh

I believe such actions impact the bilateral ties between India and China, Singh said.

Addressing the issue of China's renaming of certain areas in Arunachal Pradesh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a bold statement on April 9, questioning Beijing's actions.

He raised the question of whether renaming places in China by India would enable ownership. Speaking at a rally in Namsai, located in the Arunachal East constituency, less than two weeks before the state's Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, the defence minister highlighted the efforts of the BJP-led government in advancing infrastructure and the development of border villages.

"This represents our homeland. Recently, China has rechristened three locations in Arunachal Pradesh and publicised these changes on its platform. I wish to convey to our neighboring nation that altering names will not yield any substantive outcome. Suppose we were to rename certain places or regions within China tomorrow, would that make them rightfully ours? China must avoid committing this error," Singh said while addressing the crowd that had gathered at his rally.

The defence minister further stated that China's renaming of 30 locations in Arunachal Pradesh would not alter the actual situation on the ground.

"I believe such actions impact the bilateral ties between India and China. The late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee used to emphasise that while friendships can change, neighbours remain constant. India intends to maintain amicable ties with all its neighbouring countries. However, if someone attempts to undermine our dignity, today's India possesses the resolve to respond firmly," he declared vehemently.

"We have rectified the errors of the past and fortified India's territorial security through enhanced border infrastructure. Previously labeled as the 'last villages' by the Congress, we now recognise these border villages as the forefront of our nation's development. It's crucial to acknowledge that these villages, particularly in Arunachal, house not just residents but strategic assets for our nation", Singh further added.

The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs published the fourth set of standardised geographical names in Zangnan, referring to Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing asserts as part of southern Tibet, as reported Global Times on March 31.

Responding to China's actions, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said earlier, "Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will remain an Indian state in the future".

On April 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an interview with Assam Tribune, asserted, "Arunachal Pradesh has, does, and will always remain an inseparable part of India. Presently, development initiatives are swiftly reaching Arunachal and the Northeast, akin to the swift arrival of the morning sun, at an unprecedented pace", highlighting the Centre's focus and concerted efforts in tackling the situation.

Arunachal Pradesh will go to polls on 19 April for its 60 assembly seats in the state along with the first phase of the general elections.