Beijing (PTI) – China expressed strong objections to a group of Indian mountaineers naming a previously unnamed peak in Arunachal Pradesh after the 6th Dalai Lama, reinforcing its territorial claims over the disputed region.
A team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) successfully scaled the 20,942-foot peak and decided to honor the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, who was born in the Mon Tawang region. The Indian Defense Ministry justified the decision, citing the Dalai Lama’s significant contributions to the Monpa community and beyond.
However, China vehemently rejected India’s actions, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers to as “Zangnan,” is an integral part of Chinese territory. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, reiterated this stance during a press briefing, dismissing India’s establishment of the state of Arunachal Pradesh as illegal and void.
Since 2017, China has been systematically renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh to bolster its territorial claims. India has consistently countered these claims, maintaining that Arunachal Pradesh is an inseparable part of India and that any attempts to impose “invented” names will not alter this reality.
