New Delhi: India has made important changes in the official map of Arunachal Pradesh. In the updated map of Survey of India, 27 places of strategic and historical importance near the border with China have been formally recorded. These include four mountain passes, a high altitude lake area, 21 geographical locations and a memorial related to the 1962 war. The move comes at a time when India is going to host the BRICS summit in September and Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected to attend it.
What has been changed in the map?
Four passes namely Djo La, Riza La, Pukur La and Thag La have been included in the updated map. Apart from this, Sambhon Sarovar has also been recorded with its Indian name. The 21 other locations include areas including Longju, Jairampur, Jaswantgarh, Padma, Baisakhi, Shivaji Nagar and Kamlangnagar. Sher-e-Thapa Memorial has also been given a place on the map.
Why are Thag La and Longju so important?
Some of the places included in the map are directly linked to past military confrontations along the India-China border. Thag La is an area associated with the initial phase of the India-China war of 1962. The name of Longju is associated with the India-China border conflict that took place in 1959. Getting formal recognition of these places in the government maps means that now they will not be limited to military maps but will also be clearly recorded in the official map of India.
Has India made any new changes in its border?
This step is not being seen as a fresh drawing of the border. India already considers Arunachal Pradesh its integral part and has been rejecting China’s claim. The main objective of the changes made to the map is to formalise the identification and names of these places under the current Indian situation. That means no new changes have been made in the border on the ground.
Why is this step important for China?
There has been a long standing dispute between India and China regarding Arunachal Pradesh. China claims this entire state as South Tibet and has been issuing its own names for many places there. Beijing had tried to change the names of several places in Arunachal Pradesh in 2017, 2021 and 2023, which India rejected each time. Formally recording Indian names in the new Indian map is considered important amid this controversy.
Why was this step taken even before BRICS?
The time of change in the map is also special. India will host the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13 and Xi Jinping is likely to attend it. Earlier on August 6, the 36th WMCC meeting on border matters between officials of India and China was also held in New Delhi. Talks are going on between the two countries, but the core issue of the border dispute is still not resolved. In such a situation, giving formal place to sensitive areas in the map is considered important from both diplomatic and strategic point of view.
Has China reacted to India’s move?
China’s reaction to the change in India’s map has also come to light. Chinese state media criticised India’s move, saying it could complicate border talks. Beijing has been presenting Arunachal Pradesh as its claimed territory. On the other hand, India has been continuously clarifying that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country and changing the names of places by any other country does not change the ground situation.
