VP Radhakrishnan visits Sikkim for Statehood Day celebrations in Gangtok
Synopsis
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan travels to Sikkim for the first time since taking office, attending Statehood Day celebrations in Gangtok — the second visit by a top constitutional functionary in as many months, after PM Modi's ₹4,000 crore development push last month. The twin visits signal the Centre's sharpened focus on the strategically sensitive northeastern state.
Key Takeaways
Radhakrishnan makes his first official visit to Sikkim on 16 May 2025 to attend Statehood Day celebrations in Gangtok .
Sikkim joined the Indian Union on 16 May 1975 ; this year marks its 50th statehood anniversary .
PM Narendra Modi visited Gangtok last month, inaugurating development projects worth approximately ₹4,000 crore .
Modi also held a 2-km cultural roadshow , a football session with local youth, and met Padma awardees and achievers during his visit.
The consecutive high-level visits highlight the Centre's strategic focus on Sikkim , which borders China, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan is set to make his first official visit to Sikkim on Saturday, 16 May, after assuming office, attending the state's Statehood Day Celebrations in Gangtok, according to an official statement. The visit underscores the Centre's continued engagement with the northeastern state following a high-profile visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month.
Vice President's First Visit to Sikkim
The Statehood Day event marks a significant milestone for Sikkim, which formally joined the Indian Union on 16 May 1975. Radhakrishnan's attendance as the constitutional head of the Rajya Sabha adds institutional weight to the celebrations. No further details of his programme beyond the Statehood Day function were disclosed in the official statement.
PM Modi's Visit Last Month
The Vice President's visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to Gangtok last month, where he attended a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Sikkim's statehood. During that visit, Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple development projects worth approximately ₹4,000 crore.
Modi also held a two-kilometre-long cultural roadshow through Gangtok, with residents lining both sides of the road waving the tricolour and dressed in traditional attire. He participated in a football session with local youngsters, sharing photos on X with the caption: 'Nothing like playing some football with my young friends in Sikkim on a lovely Gangtok morning!'
Interaction with Padma Awardees and Achievers
During the same visit, Prime Minister Modi held what he described as an 'enriching interaction' with Padma awardees, social workers, artists, academicians, sportspersons, and other distinguished personalities. Sharing details on X, he noted it was 'wonderful discussing a wide range of issues' with the attendees.
According to officials, the discussions spanned development, culture, innovation, education, social welfare, and opportunities for youth. Participants also shared their experiences and suggestions with the Prime Minister. The engagement is seen as part of Modi's broader outreach to acknowledge grassroots contributors and nation-builders.
Sikkim's Growing National Profile
The back-to-back visits by two of India's highest constitutional functionaries signal sustained federal attention to Sikkim, a strategically located state bordering China, Nepal, and Bhutan. The ₹4,000 crore in development projects announced last month, combined with the Statehood Day outreach, reflects the Centre's focus on infrastructure and connectivity in the northeastern region. All eyes will now be on whether the announced projects move to implementation in the coming months.
Point of View
Now the Vice President — is not routine protocol for a state of Sikkim's size. The ₹4,000 crore project announcements last month were significant, but the real question is delivery timelines in a terrain-challenged, seismically active state where past infrastructure pledges have faced delays. Sikkim's border sensitivity also frames these visits in a strategic context that goes beyond ceremonial statehood observance. The Centre's optics are clear; the follow-through will matter more.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan visiting Sikkim?
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan is visiting Sikkim on 16 May 2025 to attend the state's Statehood Day celebrations in Gangtok. This is his first visit to the state since assuming office.
When did Sikkim become a state of India?
Sikkim formally became the 22nd state of India on 16 May 1975. This year marks the 50th anniversary of that event, which is being celebrated with high-level participation from the Centre.
What did PM Modi announce during his visit to Sikkim last month?
PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple development projects worth approximately ₹4,000 crore during his visit to Gangtok last month. He also held a cultural roadshow, met Padma awardees, and participated in a football session with local youth.
What did PM Modi post on X about his Sikkim visit?
PM Modi shared photos of his football session with local youngsters on X, writing 'Nothing like playing some football with my young friends in Sikkim on a lovely Gangtok morning!' He also posted about his interaction with Padma awardees, calling it 'wonderful discussing a wide range of issues.'
Why is Sikkim strategically significant for India?
Sikkim shares borders with China, Nepal, and Bhutan, making it one of India's most strategically sensitive northeastern states. The Centre's sustained high-level engagement with the state reflects both developmental priorities and geopolitical considerations.
