India shares its borders with several countries by land and sea. It has seven land neighbours and shares sea borders with a few island nations. Knowing these countries and the borders between them is a frequent static GK and geography exam topic.
Land Neighbours of India
- Pakistan and Afghanistan in the north-west.
- China, Nepal and Bhutan in the north.
- Bangladesh and Myanmar in the east.
Sea Neighbours
- Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait.
- Maldives lies to the south-west in the Arabian Sea.
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Important Boundary Lines
- The Radcliffe Line separates India and Pakistan.
- The McMahon Line separates India and China.
- The Durand Line separates Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Key Border Facts
- Bangladesh shares the longest land border with India.
- India shares the shortest land border with Afghanistan.
- India touches Afghanistan through the region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Quick Revision Points
- India has seven land neighbours.
- The Radcliffe Line divides India and Pakistan.
- The McMahon Line divides India and China.
- Bangladesh shares the longest land border with India.
- Afghanistan shares the shortest land border.
- Sri Lanka is separated by the Palk Strait.
- Maldives is a sea neighbour in the Arabian Sea.