India formally names 27 locations in Arunachal Pradesh, countering Chinese claims
In a move aimed at reinforcing its territorial integrity and countering repeated attempts by China to assign alternate names to places in Arunachal Pradesh, India has officially identified 27 locations in the border State on its national map. The Union Home Ministry announced the formal identification on Friday (August 7, 2026), stating that the step is intended to facilitate accurate recognition and better public awareness of these sites.
The locations, now officially marked on the Survey of India map of Arunachal Pradesh, include strategic mountain passes, villages, lakes, and memorials. Among them is Long Ju, a town situated along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which witnessed one of the earliest confrontations between Indian and Chinese forces in 1959. The nearby village of Maja in Upper Subansiri district has also been formally identified.
The list features several high-altitude passes of strategic importance, including Bisa village, Dzo La, Riza La, and Pukur La. Notably, Thag La — the site of one of the opening battles between Indian and Chinese troops in the 1962 war — has also been given formal recognition on the official map. Jairampur, a key logistics hub in Changlang district, is included as well; it serves as a gateway to the eastern border region, supporting the movement of security forces towards eastern Arunachal Pradesh and the Myanmar frontier.
Other marked locations include Sambho Sarovar, a high-altitude lake; Bara Kundun and Chhota Kundun in eastern Arunachal; Dhan Bari, Pritnagar, Teritnagar, Ramnagar, and Jaswant Garh, which houses a memorial to martyr Jaswant Singh Rawat on Tawang Road. Villages such as Sagar, Padma, Jyotinagar, and Baisakhi have also been included. The list further comprises the Sher-e-Thapa Memorial honouring 1962 war hero Trilok Singh Thapa, Chhota Ropuk and Bara Ropuk, Shivaji Nagar, Sunpura, Kamlang Nagar near the Kamlang sanctuary, and Buddhamandir.
The Ministry's statement emphasised that formally identifying these places on the official map would aid their accurate recognition. This action comes amid persistent Chinese efforts to assign what India describes as “fictitious names” to Indian territory. New Delhi has consistently dismissed such attempts, asserting that they cannot alter the “undeniable reality” of Indian sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh. Officials have also warned that such practices could derail efforts to normalise bilateral relations.
Arunachal Pradesh, which India considers an integral part of its territory, is claimed by China as part of its own territory, referring to the region as “Zangnan.” The two countries have long-standing border disputes along the 3,488-km LAC. Periodic standoffs, including the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, have highlighted the volatility of the border situation. However, both sides have engaged in diplomatic and military talks to de-escalate tensions.
The formal naming of these 27 locations is seen as a step to solidify India's position by standardising nomenclature in official records and public discourse. By making these names official, the Indian government aims to strengthen territorial claims and ensure that internal and international audiences refer to these places by their recognised Indian names.
Border experts note that such cartographic and administrative measures are part of a broader strategy to counter rival claims, though they caution that actual resolution of the border dispute will require sustained diplomatic engagement. The move has drawn attention to the importance of accurate geographical identification in asserting sovereignty.
As the situation develops, India continues to maintain that peaceful resolution of the border question remains a priority, while firmly rejecting any attempts to create new narratives through renaming of its territory.
