The Chinese Foreign Ministry has given Chinese names to several places in occupied Arunachal Pradesh, which China refers to as Xingnan or South Tibet. According to China, Arunachal Pradesh has been part of Tibet for centuries, and its annexation by British India through the McMahon Line in 1914 is not recognized by China. China maintains that Britain pressured Tibetan leaders to separate the region from China. This dispute led to a war between China and India in 1962, and tensions remain high to this day.
So far, China has given Chinese names to 89 places in Arunachal Pradesh, a move that is not just symbolic but part of a strategy of “linguistic occupation”. This strategy aims to create awareness at the global and local levels that these areas “have always been China’s”. China has repeatedly made military incursions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), such as the Galwan Valley incident in 2020, which led to a bloody clash. In the future, China may advance under the pretext of limited military clashes, camping, or patrolling to change the ground reality in its favor.
China is building “military-civilian settlements” in the border areas of Tibet, which it calls rural development, but in reality, this is “soft border occupation”. This move is intended to create a narrative that these areas have been inhabited by Chinese citizens for years, making it harder for India to dispute China’s claims. Under the “Border Protection Law” of 2021, China has given legal protection to border demarcation and defensive measures. These measures are now considered mandatory under Chinese state law, and the official narrative calls Arunachal Pradesh “legally Chinese territory”.
China is continuously spreading the narrative in the global media, social media, and think tanks that Arunachal Pradesh is not a disputed territory but an “occupied Chinese territory”. This narrative is being promoted in academic and research institutions around the world. China is using economic and diplomatic maneuvers to pressure India’s allies in the Indo-Pacific, such as the United States, Japan, and Australia, to reduce India’s support for the Arunachal issue. China wants to create a strategic circle around India by ensnaring small Himalayan countries like Nepal and Bhutan in an economic trap through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in order to limit India’s diplomatic and geographical position.
China’s strategy may not be to launch a conventional war, but to gradually occupy Arunachal Pradesh through a combination of historical, geographical, legal, military, and psychological tactics. This strategy of “sliding control” is a tried and tested weapon of China, as seen in the South China Sea. If China takes a decisive step, seven Indian states, including Arunachal Pradesh, may secede from India, and the effects will also be felt on Kashmir.
The situation remains tense, with China’s actions sparking concerns about its intentions and potential consequences for the region. India’s government needs to be vigilant and proactive in defending its territory and interests. The international community must also be aware of China’s actions and their implications for regional stability. The dispute over Arunachal Pradesh is a complex issue, and a peaceful resolution will require diplomatic efforts and a deep understanding of the historical and cultural context. However, China’s actions suggest that it is not interested in a peaceful resolution, and instead, is pursuing a strategy of gradual occupation.
