In a move likely to escalate tensions between China and India, China has reportedly released another list of standardized geographical names in Arunachal Pradesh, which China refers to as Zangnan.

This action comes amidst an ongoing dispute between the two nations over China’s claim on India’s frontier state.

According to reports from the Chinese state media, the Ministry of Civil Affairs unveiled the fourth list of standardized geographical names in the region it recognizes as Zangnan, which includes thirty additional publicly used names in the disputed region.

This announcement reportedly follows previous efforts by the Chinese government to standardize names in the region.

In April 2023, the government released the third list, which included the standardization of 11 names using Chinese characters, Tibetan, and pinyin. The first list was issued in 2017, followed by a second list in 2021.

Notably, the implementation measures for the new list are set to take effect from May 1, 2024.

Mentions must be made that China has consistently asserted its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, referring to it as Zangnan and labeling it as an “inherent part of China’s territory.”

The recent release of the geographical names list underscores China’s stance on the disputed region.

India, on the other hand, has vehemently rejected China’s claims, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh to inaugurate the strategic Sela Tunnel further heightened tensions between the two nations.

Despite China’s repeated protests, India has reaffirmed its position on the matter, emphasizing that China’s claims are baseless and will not alter India’s stance.

The release of the new geographical names list by China is likely to exacerbate existing tensions and raise concerns about the ongoing territorial dispute between the two neighboring nations.