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The recent naming of an unnamed peak in Arunachal Pradesh, India, by Indian mountaineers after the 6th Dalai Lama has ignited a diplomatic row between India and China. This act, seen by India as a tribute to the Dalai Lama's legacy, has been met with strong disapproval from China, which reiterates its claim over the disputed region. The peak, standing tall at 20,942 feet, was scaled by a team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), an organization functioning under the Indian Ministry of Defence. The team's decision to christen the summit after the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, born in 1682 in the Mon Tawang region, is seen as a recognition of his profound influence on the Monpa community and beyond.
China, however, vehemently rejects India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh, referring to it as Zangnan, a part of its own territory. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, expressed China's position, stating that any actions by India within the region, including the naming of the peak, are deemed illegal and void. He underscored China's consistent stance on the matter, highlighting its territorial claims over the area. This incident further escalates tensions between the two Asian giants, who have been engaged in a long-standing border dispute.
China's reaction to the naming of the peak is not an isolated incident. Since 2017, China has actively engaged in renaming locations in Arunachal Pradesh to assert its claim over the region. This strategy, aimed at reinforcing its territorial narrative, has been met with strong condemnation from India, which steadfastly maintains that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of its territory. The Indian government has rejected China's attempts to legitimize its claim by assigning fabricated names to locations within the region. This naming dispute underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the ongoing border dispute between India and China, highlighting the deep-seated territorial claims that continue to fuel tensions between the two nations.
Source: China Annoyed Over Indian Mountaineers Naming Arunachal Pradesh Mountain After Sixth Dalai Lama