The US has expressed strong opposition to China’s recent announcement of naming 30 places in Arunachal Pradesh amid Beijing’s assertion to re-emphasize its claim over the Indian state.
Criticizing China’s move, a US State Department representative said, “The United States strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control,” on Tuesday.
Previously, the Ministry of External Affairs of India had strongly stated, “China has persisted with its senseless attempts to rename places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. We firmly reject such attempts. Assigning invented names will not alter the reality that Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.”
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also commented, “China has given some kinds of names to some places in Arunachal Pradesh. But I understand why they are doing that. We are very upset and we totally reject this kind of malicious activity conducted by the Chinese Government. Our government, through the Ministry of External Affairs, has responded very appropriately. But, what I feel is China is very nervous because earlier these border areas were left underdeveloped during the Congress regime, and during Modi-ji’s time, all major highways, roads, bridges, all 4G networks, water supply, electricity, all basic amenities are being provided in the border areas, especially in Arunachal Pradesh which was neglected for so long.”
The Chinese Ministry released its fourth list of standardized names for places including mountains, rivers, and residential areas in the Indian region of Arunachal Pradesh state, which China calls Zangnan and claims as part of its territory.
In 2023, China had released names for villages in Arunachal Pradesh shortly after India hosted the G20 summit in the state. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reinstated India’s stance and reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. “If I change the name of your house, will it become mine?” Arunachal Pradesh was an Indian state, is an Indian state, and will remain so in the future. Nothing will be gained by changing names,” said the minister while on a visit to Gujarat.
The US has consistently shown its support for India and recognized Arunachal Pradesh as its integral part. Time and again, it has shared intelligence and worked on strengthening its cooperation as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy to counter Chinese influence in the region.
Under the Biden administration, the National Defense Strategy emphasizes support for allies and partners facing “acute forms of grey zone coercion” under its Indo-Pacific strategy. The proactive sharing of intelligence with India regarding China’s activities in the Line of Actual Control exemplifies this commitment to countering Chinese territorial provocations.
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