The cartographic war The Statesman 18 Aug 2026
https://epaper.thestatesman.com/4188700/Delhi-The-Statesman/18-08-2026
The cartographic war The Statesman 18 Aug 2026
The Survey of India recently released its updated map standardizing names of 27 places, including geographical features, in Arunachal Pradesh. The list includes land areas, passes, a lake, memorial and few places under illegal Chinese occupation since 1962. The government statement read, ‘Identifying them formally on the Survey of India map of Arunachal Pradesh is aimed at facilitating their accurate recognition and better awareness among the public at large.’
Beijing, considering it as a counter to their earlier such actions, reacted immediately, ignoring that it had commenced cartographic warfare against India as an extension of its lawfare strategy, which could subsequently be exploited to add credence to its claims. In 2024, responding to one such Chinese exercise, Jaishankar responded, ‘If today I change the name of your house, will it become mine? Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be a state of India. Changing names does not have an effect.’
The Global Times, the Chinese government mouthpiece, admitted to Beijing’s actions by mentioning, ‘China has been carrying out standardization of geographical names in the region for a long time.’ Since 2017, China’s ministry of civil affairs has issued fresh names of 112 places in Arunachal, in a total of six releases, the latest being in Apr this year. China also objects every time a senior government member or an ambassador visits Arunachal, debunked by New Delhi.
China believes that it alone has the right to change names of places within Arunachal, which it terms as ‘Zangnan.’ It considers Arunachal as South Tibet, (Xi)Zang implies Tibet and Nan is South, thus Zangnan. The names it releases, correspond to Tibetan names, with no historical linkages. The fact is that Tibet is itself illegally occupied by China.
Why is China screaming from the rooftops on Indian actions. When Beijing changed names of places in Arunachal on multiple occasions, it was linking them to Tibetan terminology, hence, when questioned, its spokesperson mentioned, ‘This is within China’s sovereign rights.’ India released fresh names with far more historical depth, identifying them to their history, traditional movements and cultural affinity. This irks Beijing as it solidifies India’s claims, debunking Chinese fake actions.
The Global Times mentioned on India changing names, ‘any unilateral action by India that escalates the border situation shows no point and will not serve broader interests of bilateral relations.’ The Chinese Military Bugle, claimed to be the Official press account of China’s armed forces, tweeted that the Indian action ‘could compromise the steadying momentum in bilateral relations.’
Another Chinese media account mentioned, ‘such actions could stifle improving of political ties.’ It made little difference. India responded firmly, refuting Chinese criticism. The MEA mentioned, ‘Arunachal is an inalienable and integral part of India and this is a fact which is self-evident. At the same time, let me also underline that nothing can change this indisputable reality.’
There is no doubt that China has no answer to Indian actions, except possibly issue one more meaningless list of new names, which could flow shortly, not that it matters. In one move, India crushed Chinese propaganda, planned and pushed for years. Considering Beijing’s response, India has evidently hit a raw nerve.
This cartographic war coincided with reports on social media of a possible Chinese incursion into Arunachal Pradesh. Similar reports had emerged in Jun, which were debunked by the army claiming them to be ‘incorrect and without basis.’ This time it was the Arunachal Pradesh CM who responded. He mentioned, ‘These claims are just rumours and should not be believed.’ This was however fodder for opposition political parties desperate to corner the government, especially as parliament was then in session. Unofficial reports mention that an Indo-China standoff occurred in the Taksing sector of Arunachal in end July.
India challenging China in its own game is an indicator that New Delhi is unwilling to let China gain the upper hand in lawfare. Further, it is a message that India will respond to any Chinese attempt to alter status quo, whether it be cartographic or intrusions. It displays Indian confidence in managing its ties with China.
The release of the Survey of India map came a day after the conclusion of the 36th Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) meeting on border affairs, held in New Delhi on 06 August. This surprised the Chinese as there was no way they could display their official displeasure. If given an opportunity, they would have cancelled the meeting in protest.
In addition, it was released barely a month before the BRICS summit is held in New Delhi, which Xi Jinping is expected to attend. This leaves China with limited options. Either Xi cancels his visit in protest or attends the meet ignoring Indian action, sending a signal to the world that India, China and Russia stand together, despite differences. If Xi cancels his visit, then India has conveyed the right message by release of the map. The fact that Putin would also be attending and a RIC (Russia-India-China) summit could be on the cards, adds to Xi’s predicament. The BRICS summit comes in the backdrop of Trump considering enhancing tariffs on India and China over Russian oil procurements.
On the contrary, if Xi attends, it could imply that Chinese criticism of the release of the survey map is just a formality. Simultaneously, prior to any major diplomatic Indo-China activity, there are always possibilities of a Chinese misadventure along the LAC. This provides Xi the upper hand in one-to-one discussions. Indian troops need to be prepared to thwart any such attempt. The July standoff was possibly aimed at this.
The Indian cartographic act called out Chinese hypocrisy. Beijing believed that every announcement of fresh names from its side are justified, solely because of its claim lines. India proved that merely claiming does not mean that the region belongs to you. Further, the release of the map solidified India’s sovereignty over Arunachal, a fact that China can keep questioning with no avail. India also conveyed that Mao’s palm and finger theory of Tibet as the palm and Arunachal, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and Ladakh as fingers is history.
Having tested waters and succeeded in Arunachal, it is time for restoring similar historical names to disputed places in the Middle Sector in both, Uttarakhand and Himachal. Uttarakhand has special significance as it was the traditional route for the Mansarovar Yatra. Finally, should be Ladakh.