Sikkim and the Himalayan Chess Game
9 days ago
- #Sikkim
- #Indo-Pakistan War
- #Cold War
- Sikkim became a pawn in South Asia's power politics post-1947 independence of India and Pakistan.
- The 1965 Indo-Pakistan war had an overlooked international dimension involving China, the US, and the Soviet Union.
- Kashmir's status post-1947 led to conflict between India and Pakistan, with the Hindu Maharaja ruling a Muslim-majority region.
- The 1962 Sino-Indian conflict resulted in China being perceived as victors, influencing Pakistan's strategy in Kashmir.
- Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar in 1965 escalated the Kashmir conflict, with Cold War arms sales playing a role.
- Sikkim's geopolitical significance grew due to its location and the CIA's involvement in supporting Tibetan guerrillas.
- The marriage of Sikkim's Crown Prince to an American debutante brought international attention but raised suspicions in India.
- China's troop movements near Sikkim during the 1965 war raised fears of a multi-front conflict for India.
- US diplomacy played a key role in de-escalating the 1965 crisis, with Pakistan agreeing to a UN-proposed ceasefire.
- Sikkim's annexation by India in 1975 marked the end of its monarchy, influenced by regional tensions and internal politics.