By — Shyamal Sinha
Tibet’s historical ties with the region of Arunachal Pradesh, an unclimbed and unnamed 20,942 ft. summit near Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh has been officially named ‘Tsangyang Gyatso Peak’ in honour of the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso. The 6th Dalai Lama was born in Urgelling near Tawang in 1683.
India shares a 3,488-kilometre-long border with China, which runs along several states: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. This border, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC), has been a source of tension and occasional conflict between the two nations.
1962 Sino-Indian War: The most significant conflict occurred in 1962 when China invaded India across the Himalayan border. India suffered a military defeat, and the war left scars on bilateral relations.
Post-War Diplomacy: After the war, diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the boundary issue began. However, progress was slow due to differing perceptions of the border alignment.
The naming followed a successful expedition by a 15-member team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), led by Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal, who scaled the treacherous peak as a tribute to the 6th Dalai Lama.
NIMAS, headquartered in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, operates under the Ministry of Defence. “By naming this peak after His Holiness Dalai Lama, NIMAS aims to pay tribute to his timeless wisdom and his profound contributions to the Monpa community and beyond,” a statement from the ministry read on Thursday.
“The peak was one of the most technically challenging and unexplored summits in the region. After overcoming immense challenges including sheer ice walls, treacherous crevasses, and a 2-kilometer-long glacier, the team immortalised the momentous feat by naming the peak Tsangyang Gyatso Peak in honour of His Holiness the 6th Dalai Lama Rigzen Tsangyang Gyatso,” a statement further read.
Arunachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister, Pema Khandu, praised the team’s achievement. In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Huge congratulations to Team NIMAS Dirang on their historic achievement! Led by Director Ranveer Jamwal, they’ve successfully summited an untamed peak in the Gorichen Massif of the Mon Tawang region, reaching an impressive 6,383 meters! This groundbreaking feat not only showcases the spirit of adventure but also opens new horizons for exploration in Arunachal Pradesh.”
However, the naming of the peak has sparked diplomatic tension. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed discontent over the move, reiterating China’s territorial claims over the region. “Let me say more broadly that the area of Zangnan is Chinese territory, and it’s illegal, and null and void for India to set up the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ in Chinese territory. This has been China’s consistent position,” Lin stated, referring to the region as ‘Zangnan,’ the name used by China for Arunachal Pradesh.
Since 2017, China has been renaming various places in Arunachal Pradesh as part of its claims over the region, but India has firmly rejected these assertions, reaffirming that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and dismissing China’s “invented” names as ineffective in altering the status quo.
India must promote honest discussions about the history of the boundary dispute and events leading to the 1962 conflict.
Both countries need to find pragmatic solutions while respecting each other’s territorial integrity.
India’s stance on the Indo-China border disputes involves a delicate balance of diplomacy, strategic infrastructure development, and safeguarding its territorial interests. As tensions persist, dialogue remains crucial for maintaining peace and stability in the region.
