DEMAND FOR REVISION OF 1950 INDO-SIKKIM TREATY

   During Chogyal Palden Thondup’s rule, Sikkim demanded ‘revision’ of the 1950 Indo-Sikkim Treaty. In the past twenty years since the signing of the Treaty, India and Sikkim faithfully abided by the terms laid down in the Treaty. It is important to note that this Treaty came into existence a few years after India’s independence, when the mood of a section of the Sikkimese Nepalese, as portrayed by some of their leaders, was the desire for accession to India.

   Although the Treaty did not fully satisfy the demand for merger, it nevertheless bound Sikkim to India through the protectorate status. The Government of India took control over the external affairs of Sikkim, including defence and communications. Internal subjects such as political, economic and financial matters were largely left to the Sikkim Government.

   After Palden Thondup formally became the 12th Chogyal in 1965, he began raising the demand for revision of the 1950 Treaty. At a press conference in Gangtok on February 8, 1966, the Chogyal stated, “The Sikkim Government wants some changes in the treaty between India and Sikkim signed in 1950. We have mentioned this matter to the External Affairs Ministry in Delhi verbally.”

   Again, on January 16, 1967, Sikkim’s Executive Councillors, Netuk Tsering, B.B. Gurung and Nahakul Pradhan, in a statement said, “Since Sikkim signed the treaty with India, it was within her sovereign rights to demand its revision as one of the signatories…Every country has the inherent right to exist and maintain its separate identity and to review and revise its treaty obligations in the wake of the changing circumstances.” 

 Significantly, in the fourth general elections of March-April 1970, the Sikkim National Party (SNP), Sikkim State Congress (SSC) and Sikkim Janata Party (SJP) reiterated the demand for ‘revision’ of the 1950 Treaty during their election campaign. This development, while being appreciated at home, posed a threat to New Delhi. It clearly showed that the Sikkimese people and their leaders were united and unanimous in their demand for a more free and independent Sikkim.

   Pressure for revision of the Treaty was gradually placed on the Government of India and the Sikkim Durbar. “Revision” of the Treaty was another hazy word which had something to do with “mutual interest and compromise.” Whatever may be the motive behind this demand, it certainly had a touch of nationalistic fervour and the desire for greater freedom to run the affairs of the kingdom. By the end of the 1960s, there was a growing feeling of unity and oneness among the three ethnic communities of Sikkim on vital issues. This was a remarkable achievement for the Chogyal and the political leadership of Sikkim.

(Ref: Sons of Sikkim: The Rise and Fall of the Namgyal Dynasty of Sikkim, Jigme N. Kazi, Notion Press, 2020.)