India has taken a decisive step to counter repeated Chinese attempts at renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh by formally identifying 27 locations with their standard names on the official Survey of India map.

The announcement was made on Friday, August 7, 2026, by the Union Home Ministry, which emphasised that the move was aimed at ensuring accurate recognition and raising public awareness about these areas.

Among the places formally marked is Long Ju, situated along the Line of Actual Control. This location holds historical significance as one of the earliest flashpoints between India and China in 1959, when Chinese forces entered the area. The inclusion of Long Ju underscores India’s determination to reaffirm sovereignty over sensitive border regions.

The village of Maja, located near Long Ju in Upper Subansiri district, has also been added to the official map. Other notable inclusions are Bisa village, a strategically important high-altitude mountain pass, and passes such as Dzo La, Riza La, and Pukur La. These areas are critical for both defence and connectivity in the frontier state.

One of the most strategically significant passes, Thag La, has also been formally identified. This pass was the site of one of the opening battles between Indian and Chinese forces during the 1962 war, making its recognition symbolically important.

Jairampur in Changlang district, a vital logistics hub known as the gateway to the eastern border region, has similarly been marked, highlighting its role in supporting security force movements towards eastern Arunachal and the Myanmar frontier.

The list further includes Sambho Sarovar, a high-altitude lake, along with Bara Kundun and Chhota Kundun in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh. Several villages such as Dhan Bari, Pritnagar, Teritnagar, Ramnagar, Sagar, Padma, Jyotinagar, and Baisakhi have also been identified. Jaswant Garh, which houses the memorial of Indian martyr Jaswant Singh Rawat on the Tawang Road, has been included, reflecting the importance of commemorating national heroes.

The Sher-e-Thapa Memorial, honouring Trilok Singh Thapa, a war hero of 1962, has been formally recognised. Other places such as Chhota Ropuk, Bara Ropuk, Shivaji Nagar, Sunpura, Kamlang Nagar near the Kamlang sanctuary, and Buddhamandir have also been listed, showcasing the diversity of cultural, strategic, and natural sites in the region.

India has consistently dismissed Chinese efforts to assign what it calls “fictitious names” to Indian territory. Officials have asserted that such attempts are aimed at creating baseless narratives, but they cannot alter the undeniable reality of India’s sovereignty.

The government has also warned that these actions could derail ongoing efforts to normalise bilateral ties between the two countries.

This formal identification of locations is not only a cartographic exercise but also a strategic assertion of India’s territorial integrity. By marking these places on the Survey of India map, New Delhi has reinforced its stance against external attempts to distort historical and geographical facts, while simultaneously strengthening public awareness and national resolve.

Agencies