Key Points

A neighbour is not just a country with a shared land boundary. Maritime neighbours, connected by a shared sea or ocean, are also crucial for trade, culture, and strategic ties.

India shares land boundaries with several countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwest, China, Nepal, and Bhutan in the north, and Bangladesh and Myanmar in the east.

India's peninsular shape extends into the Indian Ocean, giving it a unique maritime position. This location provides access to key sea routes connecting Southeast Asia, West Asia, and Africa.

India and China share a long border separated by the Himalayas. Buddhism is a powerful cultural link, while modern relations involve significant trade, though the balance is heavily in China's favor.

Once part of a single entity before the 1947 Partition, India and Pakistan have a complex relationship marked by conflicts. They also share deep cultural ties and have made attempts at peace, like the Kartarpur Corridor.

Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, was formed in 1971. The two nations share a long border, common languages like Bangla, and major river systems like the Ganga and Brahmaputra.

Based on the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, India and Nepal have an open border. This allows citizens to travel freely without passports or visas for work, family, and pilgrimage.

Bhutan, the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon,' partners with India in hydroelectric power. It is known for its concept of Gross National Happiness as a measure of progress.

Myanmar connects India's northeastern states to Southeast Asia. The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is a modern project to enhance this connectivity for trade and travel.

Historically connected via the Uttarapatha trade route, India and Afghanistan share ancient cultural ties. Before the 7th century, Afghanistan was a major center for Buddhism.

Sri Lanka is separated from India by the narrow Palk Strait. The relationship is defined by deep historical ties, including the introduction of Buddhism by Emperor Ashoka's children, Mahendra and Sanghamitra.

The Maldives is an archipelago nation and a key maritime neighbour. India often acts as a first responder in crises, such as the 2004 tsunami and the 2014 Malé water crisis.

Ancient Indian culture deeply influenced countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This is seen in names like Ayutthaya (from Ayodhya), shared religions, and art forms like the Ramayana performances.

Malaysia and Singapore have significant populations of Indian origin, stemming from migration during the colonial era. This is reflected in culture, and Tamil is an official language in Singapore.

After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, India and its neighbours like Indonesia and Sri Lanka collaborated to create an early warning system. This shows how shared challenges lead to cooperation.

India has ancient trade ties with Iran and Oman dating back to the Harappan civilization. Modern cooperation includes developing Iran's Chabahar Port and joint military exercises with Oman.

Buddhism originated in India and spread peacefully to its neighbours. Theravada Buddhism is prominent in Sri Lanka and Thailand, Mahayana in China, and Vajrayana in Bhutan and Tibet.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was formed in 1985 to promote regional progress. Its members are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.