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Dalai Lama visits Arunachal Pradesh China Irks
By Bilaseng Namchoomm
The country of Red Dragon is fumed over the recent visit of Apostle of Peace HH Dalai Lama to the Land of Rising Sun-Arunachal Pradesh overriding Beijing’s objection to the visit. In retaliation, China changed the name of atleast six places in Arunachal Pradesh describing it as “legitimate” action in line with Chinese law which supports Beijing’s territorial claim. China might even pull out old maps and records to show that these names existed for hundreds of years to support its claim besides the fact that the 6th Dalai Lama was born in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh and Tawang Monastery was linked to monasteries in China in the past. India has objected strongly to the move saying it changes nothing on the ground.
Adding to this Indian foreign ministry spokesman Gopal Baglay said “Renaming or inventing names of states of your neighbour does not make illegal occupation legal”. What could be termed as most hilarious, China on hearing the visit of HH Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh from April 4 to April 13, 2017 objected and raised questions on the stand of India towards the strategically vital region Arunachal Pradesh which China claims to be a part of southernmost Tibet. China has earlier warned India that bilateral ties may suffer “severe damage” and peace and stability in the border areas could be affected if it allows the exile leader to visit Arunachal Pradesh. The neighbouring country, earlier this month, warnedthat it will see such a move as provocation. India has rubbished China’s claim, stating that it was totally a religious tour.
