The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday strongly rejected China’s move to rename some places in Arunachal Pradesh. The MEA called these actions “vain and preposterous”.

“We have noticed that China has persisted with its vain and preposterous attempts to name places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh,” the MEA stated.

India said that no matter what China names, the truth will not change. “Consistent with our principled position, we reject such attempts categorically. Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India,” the MEA added.

China has been claiming Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory, calling it the southern part of Tibet. India has repeatedly denied this claim.

China speaks on India-Pakistan ceasefire

On Monday, a senior Chinese foreign ministry official, Liu Jinsong, met with the Indian Ambassador to China, Pradeep Kumar Rawat. This meeting happened while India and Pakistan were involved in a brief military conflict.

The conflict began after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 killed 26 people. In response, India launched air strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7 to destroy terror camps. After this, Pakistan tried to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10.

Finally, on Saturday, both India and Pakistan agreed to end the conflict after four days of missile and drone strikes. A short statement from India’s foreign ministry said both sides “exchanged views on China-India relations and issues of common concern”.

China welcomed this peaceful step. Liu Jinsong said, “This is also what the international community hopes to see.” He added, “China supports and welcomes this latest development.”

He further said, “China hopes that India and Pakistan will cement and continue the ceasefire momentum, avoid further conflict, properly handle differences through dialogue and negotiation, and return to the track of political settlement.”

“China is ready to stay in communication with India and Pakistan and play a constructive role in realising a full and lasting ceasefire between the two countries and keeping the region peaceful and stable,” he said.

 

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