In a historic and proud moment, a team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), led by Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal, successfully scaled an unnamed and unclimbed 20,942 ft high peak in Arunachal Pradesh’s Gorichen range. In just 15 days, they reached the summit, making it not only an achievement in mountaineering but also an act of cultural significance. The peak was named ‘Tsangyang Gyatso Peak’ in honour of the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, who was born in Tawang in 1682.
The decision to name the peak after the 6th Dalai Lama was a heartfelt tribute to his timeless wisdom and his contributions to the Monpa community and beyond. The Defence Ministry issued a statement emphasizing that this naming was meant to celebrate both the cultural heritage of the region and the profound impact of the Dalai Lama’s teachings.
This moment of celebration, however, was met with the usual reaction from China—anger, baseless claims, and a tirade of objections. Beijing, quick to respond, repeated its unfounded narrative that Arunachal Pradesh, including the newly named Tsangyang Gyatso Peak, is part of “South Tibet.” As if on cue, Chinese officials issued a statement condemning India’s actions, describing them as a provocation and an affront to its territorial integrity.
But let’s be honest—China’s anger is as predictable as it is misplaced. The Tibetan spiritual leader, the 6th Dalai Lama, was born in Tawang, a place that has always been and will remain an integral part of India. Naming the peak after him is an appropriate tribute, deeply rooted in the cultural and historical fabric of Arunachal Pradesh. China’s objections don’t hold water, especially when examined in the context of international law, history, and the lived experiences of the people in the region. The Monpa community has flourished for centuries in this region, with deep connections to India, not China.
What is laughable is China’s audacity to feign shock over India honouring its own heritage. For a country that has built vast infrastructure projects in disputed areas, often without a shred of respect for the people or places it lays claim to, its outrage here is particularly hypocritical. By attempting to rewrite history and manufacture outrage over Arunachal Pradesh, China only exposes the shaky ground it stands on in its territorial claims.
Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a congratulatory message, celebrating the mountaineers and honouring the cultural ties that the peak’s naming represents. His message encapsulated the pride that the people of Arunachal Pradesh feel—pride in their history, pride in their heritage, and pride in the natural beauty that defines their land.
For China, whose territorial ambitions often lack historical backing, this peak is nothing more than an excuse to continue its bullying. Yet, India’s decision to name the peak after the 6th Dalai Lama was not about geopolitics; it was a celebration of a man who belongs to the people of Tawang, who shaped the cultural and spiritual life of the Monpa community. By honouring Tsangyang Gyatso, India is standing firm in its respect for the past, for its cultural legacies, and for the unbreakable bond between Arunachal Pradesh and the rest of the country.
China’s ranting must be seen for what it is—another baseless attempt to stir tension and assert dominance where it holds no legitimate claim. As the newly named Tsangyang Gyatso Peak stands tall in the Gorichen range, it does so as a symbol of India’s deep-rooted ties to Arunachal Pradesh, a tribute to the 6th Dalai Lama, and an unyielding reminder that no amount of misplaced anger can alter history.
