Beijing, In an action that marks a further escalation in the ongoing China-India territorial dispute, China has released a new list of 30 names for places within Arunachal Pradesh, a region it claims as part of its territory. This move, reflective of Beijing’s enduring stance on the contested area, heightens tensions between the two neighboring countries.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs announced the list as part of its strategy to reinforce claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers to as Zangnan, considered by Beijing to be part of south Tibet. The announcement underscores China’s unwavering claim to the region despite India’s firm assertion of sovereignty over the state.

The list, published on the ministry’s official website and set to be implemented starting May 1, forms part of China’s broader efforts to standardize geographical names across what it considers its territories. This initiative also includes measures to curb the use of foreign languages in names that could undermine China’s claims to sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This recent announcement follows a series of similar actions by China, with the first list of six names issued in 2017, and additional lists released in 2021 and 2023, naming a total of 26 other locations in Arunachal Pradesh. These systematic efforts are viewed as attempts by China to assert its territorial claims through administrative means.

The timing of China’s announcement coincides with heightened bilateral tensions, particularly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the strategic Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, enhancing access to critical border areas. China’s claims over Arunachal Pradesh have been a longstanding point of contention, contributing to the complex and often strained relations between the two Asian giants.

India, on its part, has remained steadfast in its position, with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar dismissing China’s territorial claims as “ludicrous” and affirming Arunachal Pradesh’s status as an integral part of India. This ongoing dispute underscores the broader geopolitical rivalry and the delicate balance of power dynamics in the region.