Although India and China reportedly reached “some consensus” on disengaging troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, tensions have resurfaced with Beijing once again asserting its territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh. On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed strong disapproval of an Indian mountaineering team’s decision to name a previously unnamed peak in Arunachal Pradesh after the 6th Dalai Lama.
“It’s illegal, and null and void for India to set up the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ in Chinese territory,” Jian said during a media briefing in Beijing. His remarks follow the recent expedition by the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) under the Ministry of Defence, which named the peak as a tribute to the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, who was born in 1682 in the Mon Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Peak Named After the 6th Dalai Lama
The unnamed and unclimbed peak, located at an altitude of 20,942 feet in the Gorichen Massif of Arunachal Pradesh, was scaled by a NIMAS team led by its director, Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal. The Defence Ministry emphasized that the decision to name the peak was meant to honor the timeless wisdom and contributions of the 6th Dalai Lama to the Monpa community and beyond.
A NIMAS team successfully scaled an unclimbed 20,942 ft peak in Arunachal Pradesh, naming it “Tsangyang Gyatso Peak” in honor of the 6th Dalai Lama. This historic ascent marks a tribute to his legacy and highlights Arunachal as a premier destination for adventure sports. pic.twitter.com/CqVrySuTAG
— PRO Defence Kolkata (@ProDefKolkata) September 25, 2024
However, China’s Foreign Ministry maintained its firm stance on the region, with Jian stating, “Let me say more broadly that the area of Zangnan is Chinese territory… This has been China’s consistent position.”
Arunachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister Responds
Despite Beijing’s objections, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu praised the NIMAS team for their successful summit. “Led by Director Ranveer Jamwal, they’ve successfully summited an untamed peak in the Gorichen Massif of Mon Tawang Region of Arunachal Pradesh, reaching an impressive 6,383 meters!” Khandu posted on X (formerly Twitter), expressing pride in the mountaineering achievement.
China’s Territorial Claims and Renaming Strategy
China has long claimed Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory, referring to it as “South Tibet.” Since 2017, Beijing has been renaming places in the region, which it calls “Zangnan,” in an effort to assert its territorial claims. This is part of its broader strategy to contest the sovereignty of Arunachal Pradesh, a state India firmly asserts is “an integral and inalienable part” of the country.
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India has consistently rejected China’s claims over Arunachal Pradesh, dismissing the renaming of places as an “invented” narrative that does not alter the ground reality. In March 2024, India rebuffed Beijing’s objections to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state, reinforcing that such objections would not change the fact that Arunachal Pradesh is, and will always remain, a part of India.
Tensions Along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh
Amid these territorial disagreements, progress has been reported on the disengagement of troops along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. Both nations have been locked in a standoff in the region since 2020, but on Thursday, China’s Defence Ministry issued a statement acknowledging “some consensus” had been reached between the two countries on disengagement.
Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang commented, “The two sides agreed to reach a resolution at an early date acceptable to both sides.” While significant progress has been reported, ongoing discussions are expected to explore solutions that factor in pre-April 2020 positions along the LAC, while also addressing unresolved issues in Arunachal Pradesh.
Sources suggest that Indian troops, who had limited access to certain patrolling points along the LAC due to the presence of Chinese troops or buffer zones created during disengagement, may soon regain access to these points.
The current developments highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of India-China relations, with progress in one area often offset by fresh disputes in another. As both nations work towards resolving issues along the LAC, China’s continued claims over Arunachal Pradesh remain a significant point of contention in their diplomatic relationship.
