GUWAHATI: Days after China’s ministry of civil affairs renamed 30 more places in Arunachal Pradesh, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday criticised Beijing for the practice and said changing names does not change the reality on the ground.”If tomorrow we change the names of some places of China, will those areas become a part of India?” Singh said at an election rally at Namsai in Arunachal East LS constituency, while reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India.
China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as Zangnan, claiming that it’s part of the Tibetan autonomous region, and has renamed several places in the bordering state in the past.Singh emphasised that the relationship between the two nations would deteriorate because of such activities. “We want to maintain good relations with our neighbours but if someone tries to hurt India’s honour then today India has the power to respond to it,” he added.
He accused Congress of neglecting border areas and stressed that the current govt has been developing infrastructure to secure the borders since 2014. He said border villages are considered strategic assets.Singh also praised the residents living in the border areas for their support during the 1962 war with China, assuring that their contributions will always be remembered and appreciated.
China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as Zangnan, claiming that it’s part of the Tibetan autonomous region, and has renamed several places in the bordering state in the past.Singh emphasised that the relationship between the two nations would deteriorate because of such activities. “We want to maintain good relations with our neighbours but if someone tries to hurt India’s honour then today India has the power to respond to it,” he added.
He accused Congress of neglecting border areas and stressed that the current govt has been developing infrastructure to secure the borders since 2014. He said border villages are considered strategic assets.Singh also praised the residents living in the border areas for their support during the 1962 war with China, assuring that their contributions will always be remembered and appreciated.