On November 11, French Ambassador Thierry Mathou met with Sikkim’s Chief Secretary VB Pathak at the Tashiling Secretariat in Gangtok to explore areas of collaboration between France and Sikkim. Ambassador Mathou, joined by his wife Cecile Mathou and officials from the French consulate in Kolkata, highlighted the historical bond between the two regions through French explorer Alexandra David-Neel, whose time in Sikkim contributed significantly to global awareness of its culture.
During the meeting, Chief Secretary Pathak suggested areas for potential partnership, particularly in urban challenges like Gangtok’s traffic congestion and waste management. The meeting also included discussions with various department heads, broadening possibilities for further initiatives focused on sustainable urban development and cultural preservation.
Later, Sikkim’s Chief Minister, Prem Singh Tamang, shared on social media that he had hosted Ambassador Mathou and his delegation at his residence. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, from red panda conservation to a proposed sister-city exchange program between Sikkim and a French city. “Our discussions were engaging and productive,” wrote CM Tamang, mentioning potential plans for a French research team to support red panda conservation and proposals for French language training in Sikkim. The Ambassador also shared plans for a photo exhibition celebrating Alexandra David-Neel’s legacy.
Both sides expressed optimism about strengthening cultural and developmental ties between France and Sikkim, setting the foundation for future collaborations.
