China hits back at India over naming of 27 disputed Himalayan sites

China has vehemently criticized India for officially naming 27 sites in the contested Himalayan region, alleging that the move seeks to alter established Chinese place names and assert territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh. Beijing's Foreign Ministry asserted that India's action is "illegal and invalid" and cannot change the fact that Zangnan, the name China uses for Arunachal Pradesh, is part of its territory.

India announced the new names for geographical features in Arunachal Pradesh on August 7, including mountain passes, a lake, and a war memorial, in an apparent effort to underscore its sovereignty over the region. Scholars have described India's move as unilateral and warned that it could complicate efforts to address border issues.

This latest dispute echoes a previous incident in which China issued standardised Chinese names for locations in Arunachal Pradesh, which India deemed "mischievous" and an attempt to advance false claims. The two nuclear-armed neighbors share a 3,488km-long border that has frequently fueled tensions, most severely during a deadly clash in June 2020 that resulted in the deaths of soldiers from both sides.

Despite signs of improvement in relations, such as a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin in August 2025, the naming dispute has heightened concerns over Chinese activity along the border in India. Videos posted by Indian content creators alleging increased Chinese presence in Arunachal Pradesh have sparked political scrutiny of Modi's government over border security during the current parliamentary session.