India on Tuesday condemned China for its repeated and “preposterous” attempts to rename locations in Arunachal Pradesh, reaffirming that the north-eastern state is an integral and inalienable part of the country.

Responding to media queries over the matter, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong statement rejecting China’s actions.

“We have noticed that China has persisted with its vain and preposterous attempts to name places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Consistent with our principled position, we reject such attempts categorically. Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India,” the MEA stated.

India had similarly dismissed earlier renaming attempts by China, with the MEA reiterating its stance: “We firmly reject such attempts. Assigning invented names will not alter the reality that Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.”