After China released 30 new names of various places in Arunachal Pradesh, the Chief Minister of the northeastern state, Pema Khandu, condemned the neighbouring country for its act of renaming places within Arunachal and called it an “inalienable integral part of India”.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Khandu said, “Another gimmick from China. Being a proud citizen of Bharat and a native of Arunachal Pradesh, I strongly condemn this act of naming of places within Arunachal Pradesh which has been an inalienable integral part of India…”

The CM’s remark came as China stepped up its claim over Arunachal Pradesh in recent weeks following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the border state last month.

Also Read: China attempts to claim territory by renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh; India outrightly rejects

The fresh flashpoint comes after China released a list of “standardised” geographical names in Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing recognises as Zangnan.

The 30 places renamed by Bejing include 12 mountains, four rivers, one lake, one mountain pass, 11 residential areas and a piece of land, state-run Global Times reported. A high-resolution map of the areas has also been shared by China.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected the “senseless attempts” by China. In a statement, the MEA said assigning “invented names” would not alter the reality that Arunachal Pradesh “is, has been, and will always be” an integral and inalienable part of India.

Also Read: India Asserts Sovereignty Over Arunachal Pradesh Amidst China’s Claims

“China has persisted with its senseless attempts to rename places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. We firmly reject such attempts. Assigning invented names will not alter the reality that Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also hit out at China over its latest move. “If today I change the name of your house, will it become mine? Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be a state of India. Changing names does not have an effect,” Jaishankar told ANI.