China's territorial claim on one of India’s ‘Seven Sisters’ state, Arunachal Province

China has once again asserted that Arunachal Pradesh, one of India's "Seven Sisters" northeastern states, is part of its territory, prompting a sharp rebuttal from New Delhi.

The Times of India reported on Wednesday (26 November) that Beijing has renamed the state "Zangnan" and reiterated its claim.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Tuesday (25 November) said: "Zangnan is China's territory. We have never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India."

The fresh salvo comes amid escalating border tensions. On 21 November, a woman from Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Wang Thondup, was reportedly detained for 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong International Airport because her passport listed Arunachal as her birthplace, which Chinese immigration deemed "invalid".

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly protested the incident, stating: "Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India. Residents of the state enjoy full rights to travel on Indian passports."

China countered that no detention or harassment occurred, only a routine inspection. "Legal procedures were followed, and her rights were protected," Mao said.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated: "Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and indivisible part of India. China's denial does not alter this reality."

This is not the first time. In 2023, China issued "stapled visas" to several Arunachal athletes, stapling separate papers instead of stamping passports to deny the state's status. Similar visas have been given to Kashmir residents as part of Beijing's policy.

The dispute stems from the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control (LAC), with China claiming 90,000 sq km of Arunachal as South Tibet. The 1962 Sino-Indian War was fought partly over this region. Recent clashes, including the 2020 Galwan Valley incident that killed 20 Indian soldiers, have kept tensions high.

India maintains Arunachal's status quo and has fast-tracked infrastructure development there, including the Sela Tunnel inaugurated in 2024.