Pondicherry as Part of the Republic of India: The Administrative and Territorial Issue

In 1954, French possessions in South Asia became part of the Republic of India. This article examines aspects of the integration of 4 French enclaves (Pondicherry, Mahe, Yanaon and Karikal) under the umbrella toponym Pondicherry into India in the 1950–1960s, and analyzes the administrative and legal status of this territory within India. The agreement on the legal transfer of French territories to India was signed in 1954, followed by a respective treaty in 1956; the latter was ratified by both countries only in 1962. During the transition period (1954–1962), Pondicherry boasted of specific administrative rights in many ways similar to those of India’s states, but in 1962 it joined the federation as a union territory. This did not cater to the needs of the local political elite, so since the 1960s, Pondicherry’s politicians have been demanding statehood for the territory and have actively been exploiting the statehood issue in electoral campaigns.

Republic of India, French India, Pondicherry, union territory, statehood demand