The Indian mountaineering team recently conquered an unclimbed peak in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, and named it after the 6th Dalai Lama. However, China has vehemently denounced the achievement, labelling it as an illegal operation within Chinese territory. The 15-member team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) successfully scaled the 20,942-foot-high peak, now known as “Tsang Gyatso Peak,” last Saturday.
“In an extraordinary mountaineering achievement, the NIMAS team has successfully scaled an unnamed and unclimbed 6383 MSL or 20,942 ft high peak in Gorichen range of Arunachal Pradesh Himalayas on Tawang-West Kameng region. 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 has immortalized the momentous feat by naming the peak “Tsangyang Gyatso Peak” in honour of His Holiness the 6th Dalai Lama Rigzen Tsangyang Gyatso,” NIMAS said.
The NIMAS, under the Ministry of Defence, organizes various adventure expeditions. However, many view these expeditions as having dual purposes: asserting India’s claims and countering China’s insistence on calling the Indian state ‘Zangnan’. Naming the peak after the 6th Dalai Lama would have likely provoked China, as they have attempted to diminish the significance of the institution, which stands as a reminder of Tibet’s independent existence before Beijing took it over.
The Defence Ministry stated that naming the 6th Dalai Lama was a tribute to his significant contributions to the Monpa community.
“By naming this peak after him, NIMAS aims to pay tribute to his timeless wisdom and profound contributions to the Monpa community and beyond,” NIMA said. This gesture sends a message to the global Buddhist community and China. The 6th Dalai Lama was born in 1682 near Tawang.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jin Jian reacted strongly, saying, “Let me say more broadly that the area of Zangnan is Chinese territory. It is illegal and null and void for India to set up the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ in Chinese territory. It has been China’s consistent position.”
According to Defence PRO, Guwahati, the expedition to conquer “Tsangyang Gyatso Peak” was one of the toughest ever undertaken by the NIMAS team. The route was fraught with dangerous crevasses, steep ice walls, and unpredictable weather conditions. However, through sheer determination and teamwork, the team was able to navigate these challenges and reach the summit, making history in the process.
NIMAS, which has been at the forefront of adventure and mountaineering in India, has informed the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) about the ascent and the decision to name the peak. The necessary formalities for naming the peak are being completed to ensure that “Tsangyang Gyatso Peak” is recognized on the official map.
This historic climb not only celebrates Arunachal Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage but also positions the region as a key destination for mountaineering and adventure sports, attracting explorers and adventure enthusiasts from around the globe, it further added.
Team BharatShakti
