The Government of India has officially registered 27 places and geographical features in Arunachal Pradesh on the Survey of India map, in a move that comes amid China's repeated attempts to assign new names to locations in the northeastern state.

The decision was taken in consultation with the Arunachal Pradesh government, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The ministry said the move is intended to ensure that the identified locations are accurately recorded and that the public has greater awareness of their names and geographical positions.

27 Places Added to Map

In a statement, the MHA said the Government of India, in consultation with the state government, had registered 27 places and geographical features located in Arunachal Pradesh using their standard names on the official Survey of India map.

The ministry said the inclusion would help ensure the correct identification of the locations and improve public awareness about their names and whereabouts.

The move also comes against the backdrop of a longstanding territorial dispute between India and China over parts of the eastern Himalayan region.

China’s Renaming Exercise

China has repeatedly issued lists assigning Chinese names to locations in Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing refers to as "Zangnan" or southern Tibet.

Chinese authorities have also continued to claim Arunachal Pradesh as part of Tibet, a position that India has consistently rejected.

New Delhi has maintained that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and that attempts by China to rename Indian places do not alter the legal or territorial status of the locations.

India has previously criticised such exercises, calling them unilateral attempts to manufacture territorial claims through changes in nomenclature.

Longju’s Border History

Among the places now formally recorded on Survey of India maps is Longju, a location near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Longju has historical significance in India-China border relations. Chinese troops entered the area in 1959, making it one of the early flashpoints in the border dispute between the two countries.

The inclusion of Longju on the official map highlights the historical and strategic importance of several remote settlements and geographical features along Arunachal Pradesh's frontier.

Maja Village Included

Maja village, located in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district, is another location included among the 27 places and geographical features recorded by the Survey of India.

The region is strategically significant because of its proximity to the India-China border and the difficult terrain that characterises much of Arunachal Pradesh.

The formal recording of such locations is also aimed at establishing consistent geographical references in official government records.

Jairampur’s Strategic Role

Jairampur, located in Changlang district, is another place included in the latest mapping exercise.

The town serves as an important logistical point for security forces operating in eastern Arunachal Pradesh.

Its location also makes it significant for movement towards areas close to the Myanmar border.

The region has strategic importance for India's security infrastructure because of its proximity to both the international border and sensitive frontier areas.

India-China Border Tensions

The latest mapping decision comes amid continued tensions between India and China over the disputed boundary.

The two countries have maintained substantial military deployments along sections of the LAC since the deterioration of bilateral relations following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.

While diplomatic and military channels have remained active, territorial claims and competing interpretations of the boundary continue to remain major issues in India-China relations.

Arunachal Pradesh has frequently featured in the dispute, with Beijing repeatedly challenging India's administration of the state.

Map Registration as Official Record

The government's latest action is primarily an official mapping exercise, but it also carries significance in the context of the broader dispute over geographical names.

By recording the 27 locations using their standard names, the Survey of India has formally incorporated them into India's official geographical database.

For New Delhi, such measures reinforce the use of established Indian names and administrative references for locations within Arunachal Pradesh.

The government has consistently maintained that changes in nomenclature announced by another country cannot affect India's sovereignty or administrative control over its territory.