Even though the Modi government has rejected China's latest renaming of 23 places in Arunachal Pradesh, the move reveals Beijing's cartographical and cultural expansion mindset.
The Chinese have renamed 82 cities and geographical regions in Arunachal Pradesh since 2017, with the last tranche of 23 names released on April 10, 2026.
The move is part of China's pressure tactics, which ludicrously claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet.
Many Indian bureaucrats promote strengthening economic ties with China, but ignore its repeated territorial claims and cultural expansion.
India must stick to its position that a peaceful border is the first step towards stable ties, not better trade with Beijing.
