China’s displeasure with India has turned into a diplomatic tussle where regions well known for their Tibetan roots are now being renamed. The six places in Arunachal Pradesh recently renamed by China have deep-rooted links with the Dalai Lama and Tibet.
“This is only an attempt to show its severe displeasure to India for allowing the Dalai Lama to visit the Tawang monastery in Arunachal Pradesh and address religious congregations there,” the Hindu quoted JNU professor Srikanth Kondapalli as saying.
Guling Gompa, the place where the sixth Dalai Lama was born, has been renamed by China as Wo’gyainling. Likewise, Daporijo town in Upper Subansiri district was renamed Mila Ri. Srikanth said that this place has been used by Tibetans to cross into India.
Bumla is a well-known place in Arunachal Pradesh where the 14th Dalai Lama made his first stop after escaping from Tibet. It has now been renamed as Bumola.
Most of the places renamed by China pose a strategic advantage both for India and China. China claims large swathes of land in Arunachal Pradesh as belonging to South Tibet. Due to China’s aggression and India’s post-independence policies in the northeast, the borders of Arunachal Pradesh have been a contentious issue.
The 14th Dalai Lama earlier visited the Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh purportedly to discuss his reincarnation and China’s religious persecution in occupied Tibet.