Sikkim in whose North is China, was an independent state until 1975. Indian Govt under Indira Gandhi worked both back doors and through Army to make it part of India.
In 1975, the Prime Minister of Sikkim appealed to the Indian Parliament for Sikkim to become a state of India.
In 1975, the Prime Minister of Sikkim appealed to the Indian Parliament for Sikkim to become a state of India.
In April of that year, the Indian Army took over the city of Gangtok and disarmed the Chogyal's palace guards.
Thereafter, a referendum was held in which 97.5 per cent of voters supported abolishing the monarchy, effectively approving union with India.
Thereafter, a referendum was held in which 97.5 per cent of voters supported abolishing the monarchy, effectively approving union with India.
India is said to have stationed 20,000–40,000 troops in a country of only 200,000 during the referendum. On 16 May 1975, Sikkim became the 22nd state of the Indian Union, and the monarchy was abolished.
The 36th Amendment, added the name to the First Schedule of the Constitution.
The 36th Amendment, added the name to the First Schedule of the Constitution.
The Indian annexation of Sikkim was not recognised by China during the time. In 2003, China indirectly recognised Sikkim as an Indian state, on agreement that India accept that the Tibet Autonomous Region as a part of China, though India had already done so back in 1953.
