India raps China for renaming towns in Arunachal 'illegally'

When you rename towns of neighbour, it doesn't make illegally held territory legal: Bagalay

India has categorically given a stern message to China that renaming towns of Arunachal Pradesh doesn't make illegally held territory legal.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Gopal Bagalay on Thursday said, "When you rename towns of your neighbour, it doesn't make illegally held territory legal. Arunachal Pradesh has always been an integral part of India and will continue to do so."

In a bid to retaliate on Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama's recent India visit, China renamed six towns of Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing calls 'South Tibet'.

According to a report in Chinese government mouthpiece Global Times, the China Civil Affairs Ministry had on April 14 standardised six places in South Tibet, which India calls 'Arunachal Pradesh', in accordance with the regulations of the State Council.

The report added, "The official names of the six places using the Roman alphabet are Wo'gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoidengarbo Ri, Mainquka, Bümo La and Namkapub Ri."

The move comes after China summoned India's envoy in Beijing Vijay Gokhale to protest the Dalai Lama's visit.