Try GOLD - Free
Illusory Claim
The Statesman
|May 17, 2025
China's latest attempt to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh is neither novel nor surprising.
-
It is part of a pattern – a persistent, low-cost campaign to assert symbolic sovereignty over Indian territory by altering names on paper, even as the ground reality remains unchanged.
But these semantic provocations, aimed at bolstering Beijing's claims to the region it calls "Zangnan," are unlikely to shift the status quo or win international recognition. India's swift and categorical rejection of the move sends a necessary signal: geography cannot be redrawn through lexicon. Arunachal Pradesh is not merely a matter of cartographic disagreement. It is an Indian state, populated by Indian citizens, governed by Indian laws, and defended by Indian troops.
This story is from the May 17, 2025 edition of The Statesman.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Statesman
The Statesman
Fifty Shades of Green
Kerala takes my breath away.
4 mins
October 12, 2025
The Statesman
Israel rejects freeing from prison the most popular Palestinian leader
The most popular and potentially unifying Palestinian leader ~ Marwan Barghouti ~ is not among the prisoners Israel intends to free in exchange for hostages held by Hamas under the new Gaza ceasefire deal.
1 mins
October 12, 2025
The Statesman
MEA distances itself from Afghan Embassy controversy
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has distanced itself from the controversy regarding the Afghan embassy's decision to deny access to women journalists during a press conference held by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
The Statesman Kolkata
Healing through stories
Maya had always loved photography, but after her grandma passed away, she found it hard to pick up her camera. Everything reminded her of her grandma, who had taught her how to take pictures.
1 min
October 12, 2025
The Statesman Kolkata
Right Track
When just-retired Surekha Yadav climbed into the cabin of her first train in 1989, she wasn't setting out to make history.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
The Statesman Kolkata
ICG ship arrives in Maputo with aid, boosts regional cooperation
As part of its ongoing overseas deployment to Africa, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship, Sachet, an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) made a port call in Maputo, Mozambique on Saturday.
1 min
October 12, 2025
The Statesman Kolkata
Shapoorji Pallonjibacks Tata Sons listing, pledges ‘constructive role’
Construction and engineering major Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry Group officially issued a statement on Saturday that it supports public listing of Tata Sons, which is the holding company of the Tata Group, saying that it would play a “constructive role”.
1 mins
October 12, 2025
The Statesman Kolkata
Western Railway announces jumboblockon Borivali-Kandivali section
To carry out maintenance work of tracks, signalling and overhead equipment, a Jumbo Block of four hours will be taken on Up Fast lines between Borivali - Ram Mandir stations, as well as on the 5 th line between Ram Mandir ~ Kandivali stations from 10:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs on Sunday, 12 October, 2025.
1 min
October 12, 2025
The Statesman Kolkata
Birbhum soldier's last rites performed, CM offers condolences
The mortal remains of Lance Naik Sujay Ghosh (28), the martyred jawan of the Indian Army from Birbhum, were flown to the Arjan Singh Airbase in Panagarh, West Bengal, from Jammu and Kashmir. He, along with another para commando from the state, lost his life while on border patrol duty after being caught in an avalanche.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
The Statesman Kolkata
Cong alleges Vijayan and BJP 'unholy alliance'
SENIOR CONGRESS LEADERS ALLEGE KERALA CM VIJAYAN IS USING A SECRET BJP ALLIANCE TO SHIELD HIS SON FROMA MONEY LAUNDERING PROBE, CALLING IT AN \"UNHOLY ALLIANCE\" THAT UNDERMINES JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY.THEY DEMAND A CLEAR INVESTIGATION AND PUBLIC RESPONSE FROM THE CM.
1 mins
October 12, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size