In a tit-for-tat escalation of the ongoing territorial dispute with China, India set its intention to rename over two dozen locations within the Tibet Autonomous Region. This strategic move is a direct response to China's recent renaming of places in India's Arunachal Pradesh state, a region China claims as "Zangnan" or "Southern Tibet."
A comprehensive list of the targeted Tibetan locations has been obtained by The Diplomat from Indian military sources. The official announcement of these new names is expected following the formation of the new Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently secured a third term in office.
The Indian Army's information warfare division is spearheading this renaming effort. Collaborating with prestigious institutions like the Asiatic Society in Kolkata, the army has conducted extensive historical research to challenge the legitimacy of the names assigned by China in Arunachal Pradesh. This research aims to provide historical evidence supporting India's claims over the region.
Additionally, the Indian Army has taken to social media platforms, using its official logo to debunk the Chinese names and disseminate information that counters China's narrative. The army is actively working to address all 30 locations renamed by China, utilizing detailed tweets and historical data.
This retaliatory renaming campaign signifies a significant escalation in the ongoing border dispute between India and China. It underscores India's growing assertiveness in challenging China's territorial claims and actions in the region.
China's renaming of locations in Arunachal Pradesh is not a new tactic, as this marks the fourth instance of such a move since 2017. The most recent list, released in March, included a significant number of new place names, further fueling the dispute.
India's decision to rename places within Tibet carries potential implications beyond the immediate tit-for-tat response. According to some analysts, this move could "reopen the Tibetan question" and potentially alter India's long-standing recognition of Tibet as part of China. It reflects a more assertive stance by the Modi government in challenging China's actions.
