India Names 27 Arunachal Places on Official Map

Guwahati: India has delivered a strong response to China’s repeated attempts to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh. The updated map released by the Survey of India now officially identifies 27 locations across the northeastern state, including four mountain passes and a high-altitude lake.

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The move is aimed at ensuring there is no ambiguity over India’s territorial boundaries and that the identification and demarcation of locations along the India-China border remain clear.

The Union Home Ministry said on Friday that the names were finalised in consultation with the Arunachal Pradesh government. Officials said their inclusion on the official Survey of India map will help establish accurate identification of the locations and increase public awareness about them.

Strategically Important Border Villages Included

Among the 27 locations, one is a memorial, while Longju, Maja and Bisa are strategically important border villages in Upper Subansiri district.

The updated map also includes Dzo La, Riza La and Pukur La, three mountain passes located along the McMahon Line in Upper Subansiri district.

Thag La Pass in Tawang district has particular historical significance as it was one of the key battlefields during the 1962 India-China War.

“These places have already been part of Indian Army maps. They were also mentioned in old military maps dating back to 1962. Their official inclusion on the Survey of India map is a strong response to China’s claims,” a source said.

Locations Linked to the 1962 War

Several locations included in the list are closely associated with the history of the India-China conflict.

Longju was one of the early flashpoints in the India-China border dispute. Chinese troops took control of the area in 1959.

Thag La Pass overlooks the Namka Chu Valley and became a key area during the 1962 conflict. Chinese forces crossed the McMahon Line in this region, triggering major military confrontations.

Jaswant Garh in Tawang is dedicated to the memory of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, who displayed extraordinary bravery during the 1962 war.

The Sher-e-Thapa Memorial in Upper Subansiri commemorates the bravery of Havaldar Sher Thapa, who resisted Chinese forces near Rio Bridge during the conflict and managed to hold them back for some time.

The only lake included in the list is Sambho Lake, a high-altitude glacial lake.

Locations Added From Several Districts

The newly mapped locations are spread across several districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

In Anjaw district, the list includes Bara Kundun, Chhota Kundun and Dhan Bari.

In Changlang district, Preetnagar, Buddh Mandir, Jayrampur, Teritnagar and Ramnagar have been included.

In West Kameng district, Sagar, Padma, Jyotinagar and Baisakhi have been officially mapped.

In Upper Subansiri district, Chhota Ropuk and Bara Ropuk have been included.

In Lohit district, Shivajinagar, Sunpura and Kamlangnagar have also been given a place on the official map.

China Has Repeatedly Tried to Rename Arunachal Locations

China had earlier announced the renaming of 23 places in Arunachal Pradesh in April. Beijing refers to Arunachal Pradesh as “Zangnan” or “South Tibet” and has repeatedly attempted to assert its territorial claims through such naming exercises.

India strongly rejected the move at the time. The Ministry of External Affairs had stated that assigning invented names would not change the reality on the ground and reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is, has been and will always remain an integral part of India.

China has made several such renaming attempts in the past. India’s latest move to officially record these strategically significant locations on its national map is being seen as a firm response to Beijing’s claims.

The McMahon Line serves as the eastern boundary between India and China and separates Arunachal Pradesh from Tibet. The latest mapping exercise further reinforces India’s official position regarding the state and its border areas.

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