Have you ever thought of how many countries share a border with India? India, the seventh-largest country in the world, shares its borders with seven countries. These neighbours are spread across its northern, eastern, and western boundaries. In the northwest, India shares its border with Pakistan and Afghanistan, While in the north, Nepal, China and Bhutan are three main countries with whom India shares its borders. Additionally, India has maritime neighbors like Sri Lanka to the southeast and the Maldives to the southwest, separated by the Indian Ocean. In this article, We will try to explore neighbouring countries of India.
What are the Physical Features of India?
India, officially known as the Republic of India, is the seventh-largest country in the world, covering a total geographical area of approximately 3.28 million square kilometres (1.27 million square miles). It is located in South Asia and is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the south, the Arabian Sea to the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal to the southeast.
The Official name of India is Republic Of India. India is the seventh largest country in the world in terms of area of land it covers and it is the most populated country of the world with approx 1.5 billion people. India covers a total geographical area of approximately 3.28 million square kilometres (1.27 million square miles). It is located in South Asia and is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the south, the Arabian Sea to the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal to the southeast.
List of Countries That Share Borders with India
Technically, India shares its boundaries with nine countries, comprising seven land borders and two maritime borders. Here is the list of neighbouring countries of India, which share their borders with India :
- Pakistan
Covering an area of about 796,095 sq km, Pakistan shares a border of 3,323 km with India. The Indian states bordering Pakistan include Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. The capital city is Islamabad, with Urdu as the official language. The historical context of this border stems from the partition of British India in 1947.
Pakistan covers an area of almost 796,095 sq km. Pakistan shares a border of 3,323 kilometers with India. Indian states Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat share their boundaries with India. The capital city of Pakistan is Islamabad and its official language is Urdu. The historical context of this border stems from the partition of British India in 1947. Pakistan does not have good relations with India and has border issues with India.
- Bangladesh
With a total area of approximately 147,570 sq km, Bangladesh shares a border of 4,096.7 km with India. There are five states in India, share their boundaries with Bangladesh, including West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. The capital city of Bangladesh is Dhaka and its official language is Bengali. Bangladesh is famous for its cultural heritage and is one of the biggest hubs of textile Industries.
- China
Spanning 9,596,960 sq km, China shares a border of 3,488 km with India. This border touches several Indian states including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The capital city is Beijing, and the official language is Mandarin. China is recognized as the world’s most populous country and has a rapidly growing economy.
Spanning 9,596,960 sq km, China shares a border of 3,488 km with India. This border touches five Indian states including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The capital city of China is Beijing. Official language of China is Mandarin. China is the second most populous country of India and has the second biggest economy in the world. China is known as the growing superpower in the world and also doing great innovations in tech.
- Nepal
Nepal has an area of approximately 147,516 sq km and shares a border of 1,751 km with India. The bordering states of India are Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Its capital city is Kathmandu and its official language is Nepali. Nepal is known for its mountainous beauty, surrounded by beautiful mountains of Himalayas. Tourism is the main key of Nepal’s economy.
- Myanmar
Myanmar has an area of around 676,578 sq km and shares a border of 1,643 km with India. The Indian states that share their borders with Myanmar are Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. The capital of Myanmar is Naypyidaw, and its official language is Burmese. Myanmar has rich biodiversity and is one of the most beautiful mountaineering tourist places of Asia.
- Bhutan
Bhutan covers an area of about 38,394 sq km and shares a border of 699 km with India. This border touches Indian states such as Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The capital city is Thimphu, with Dzongkha as the official language. Bhutan is known for its unique approach to development focused on Gross National Happiness.
Bhutan covers an area of about 38,394 sq km and shares a border of 699 km with India. This border touches two Indian states Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The capital city is Thimphu. The official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha. Bhutan is famous for its Himalayan beauty. It is one of the cleanest countries in Asia. Bhutan is also known for its unique approach to development focused on Gross National Happiness instead of GDP.
- Sri Lanka
India shares a maritime boundary with Sri Lanka that spans approximately 288 km. Sri Lanka covers an area of 65,610 sq km. The capital city of Sri Lanka is Colombo. The official languages are Sinhala and Tamil. India has historical relations with Sri Lanka. India shares friendly diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka and also helps Sri Lanka in its economic development.
- Afghanistan
Afghanistan spans approximately 652,230 sq km and shares a short border of only 106 km with India in Jammu and Kashmir (POK part). Its capital is Kabul, and the official languages are Dari and Pashto. Afghanistan’s rugged terrain includes mountains and deserts that have shaped its history and culture.
Afghanistan shares a short line of border of 106 km with India in Jammu and Kashmir (POK part). Its capital is Kabul. Its official languages are Dari and Pasto. Afghanistan is a land of mountains and deserts. Afghanistan is rich with minerals and natural gas reserves.
9. Maldives
The Maldives has a maritime boundary with India that extends approximately to 1,010 km. Maldives is an island country which covers an area of 298 sq km in total area. Its capital city is Male and its official language is Dhivehi. Maldives is famous for its beautiful coral reefs and tourism. Apart from that Maldives also plays a prominent role in regional maritime security.
List of Neighbouring Countries of India : Important Facts
Here are some important facts about neighbouring countries of India :
- India is having border dispute with two of major neighbouring countries of India i.e. Pakistan and China.
- India and Pakistan were once part of a unified country, sharing a common heritage and culture.
- India and Sri Lanka share deep-rooted ancient history, mythology, and cultural relations with each other.
FAQs
India shares borders with nine nations; two are sea borders, and the other seven are land borders. Answer: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are India’s neighbours.
There are seven countries that share a land border with India namely Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Bangladesh shares the longest border with India as it is surrounded by India on three sides. It is said to be the 5th largest land border in the world.
Boundaries of India: The neighbouring countries of India are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. India is located latitudinally in the Northern Hemisphere and longitudinally in the Eastern Hemisphere.
