Sikkim MP Dorjee Tshering Lepcha has called on the Central Government to replace the term “China border” with “Tibet border,” arguing that the 1,400-kilometre stretch from Leh, Ladakh, and Arunachal to Sikkim borders Tibet more accurately than China.
Lepcha urged the Indian Government and military agencies, including the Indian Army and the Border Roads Organisation or BRO, to officially recognise this distinction.
In his Rajya Sabha address, Lepcha highlighted the significant developmental disparities along the border regions. He pointed out that the Chinese side is marked by well-developed villages and infrastructure, whereas the Indian side primarily consists of forests and wildlife sanctuaries with restricted access. He called for a comprehensive review and action to address these inequalities.
Additionally, Lepcha emphasised the deteriorating condition of National Highway 10, the primary route connecting Sikkim to the rest of Bharat. He reiterated previous appeals to Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the expedited completion of this crucial infrastructure project.
As Sikkim approaches its 50th anniversary as a State in the Union of India on May 16, 2025, Lepcha requested the Central Government support in several key areas. These include promoting organic farming, reserving seats for the Limboo and Tamang communities in the State Assembly, granting Scheduled Tribe status to 12 communities, and the inclusion of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa in Sikkim.
Lepcha highlighted the importance of maintaining and enhancing the route to Kailash Mansarovar via Sikkim, describing it as the most favourable of the three pilgrimage routes. He appealed for the Central Government intervention to improve the infrastructure and accessibility of this sacred path.
