Ajit Doval’s Secret Mission in Sikkim: How He Outmaneuvered a ‘Spy Queen’
Before he became India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval was a young intelligence officer tasked with a delicate mission — to counter growing foreign influence in the Himalayan kingdom of Sikkim during the early 1970s.
At the heart of Delhi’s concern was Queen Hope Cooke, an American who had married Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal. Popularly dubbed a “spy queen,” she was suspected of having links with the CIA and was accused of encouraging the monarchy to assert independence from India. Her activities became especially worrying during the 1971 Bangladesh war, when Washington openly supported Pakistan.
Doval on the Ground
India feared losing strategic influence in Sikkim, a buffer against China. Doval was sent in to gauge the political mood and neutralise the queen’s sway. Living quietly among locals, he built networks, assessed rising resentment against the monarchy, and reported that the majority Nepali population viewed the palace as elitist and anti-India.
His intelligence confirmed that integration with India would not only be strategic but also enjoy strong public backing.
Collapse of the Monarchy
By 1973, anti-monarchy protests had broken out. Facing growing anger, Hope Cooke left Sikkim for New York, never to return. In 1975, the Sikkim Assembly voted to abolish the monarchy, and a referendum showed over 97% support for joining India. Soon after, Sikkim was formally admitted as India’s 22nd state.
Lasting Impact
Doval’s early mission in Sikkim was a turning point. By exposing the monarchy’s unpopularity and countering external influence, he ensured that India secured a vital frontier state at a critical moment in the Cold War era.
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