Signed by Sir Ashley Eden on behalf of the British and by the Sikkimese Chogyal, Sidkeong Namgyal when his father Tsugphud Namgyal refused to return from Tibet, the treaty secured protection for travellers to Sikkim and guaranteed free trade, thereby making the state a de facto British protectorate.

At the same time, in the context of The Great Game, increased British influence in the area would deny access to the Russians.

Article 13 allowed for construction of a road through Sikkim and rendered all British goods duty-free, except those transhipped through the country to Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal, in which case a maximum 5% customs duty would be payable.

White introduced revenue generating agricultural activities and encourage a large number of people to immigrate from different parts of the World.

At the same time, he ensured that no other community would be able to purchase lands from the Bhutias and the indigenous Lepchas to protect feudal integrity.