India has condemned China's recent decision to assign 'fictitious names' to several locations in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the region is an integral part of its territory. The Ministry of External Affairs characterized these actions as 'mischievous attempts' and stated that they do not alter the reality of India's claim over Arunachal Pradesh. This diplomatic response follows China's announcement of new names for areas in the region, which India previously rejected in May 2025 when Beijing attempted to rename 27 places. The Ministry urged China to refrain from actions that could negatively impact ongoing efforts to stabilize bilateral relations. Historical context shows that China has made similar attempts in 2017, 2021, 2023, and 2024, often coinciding with periods of heightened tensions along the border. The relationship between India and China has seen some thaw since the 2020 Galwan clash, but border disputes, particularly in Ladakh, continue to pose challenges.