India is renowned for its vast diversity, encompassing not only its people but also its varied landscapes in the north, east, west, and south, marked by both land and marine borders. Today, we delve into the significant international boundaries of India, exploring the intricacies and disputes associated with them.
The extensive land frontier of India, spanning approximately 15,200 km, has been a focal point of various challenges with neighbouring nations. Many of these issues stem from territorial claims, arising due to ambiguities in international borders, leading to disputes and complexities in the relationship between India and its neighbouring countries.
BORDERS OF INDIA WITH NEIGHBOURING STATE
India possesses a diverse and extensive land frontier that spans 15,200 km, sharing borders with various neighbouring countries. Here is a breakdown of India’s international boundaries:
- Pakistan (West and North West):
- Border Length: 3,310 km.
- Indian States: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir (constituting approximately 22% of India’s total land border).
- Afghanistan (North West):
- Border Length: 80 km.
- Shortest Border: Jammu & Kashmir (PoK) shares a border with Afghanistan, representing only 0.52% of India’s total land border.
- China (North):
- Border Length: 3,917 km.
- Indian States: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh (constituting approximately 26% of India’s total land border).
- Nepal (North):
- Border Length: 1,752 km.
- Indian States: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim.
- Bhutan (North):
- Border Length: 587 km.
- Indian States: West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam.
- Bangladesh (East):
- Border Length: 4,096 km.
- Indian States: West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, and Meghalaya (constituting approximately 27% of India’s total land border).
- Myanmar (East):
- Border Length: 1,458 km.
- Indian States: Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
India’s longest border is with Bangladesh, and the shortest border is with Afghanistan. These international boundaries represent not only geographical diversity but also strategic and diplomatic significance for India.
India’s Border with China:
India’s border with China is the second-longest, following closely after its border with Bangladesh. Touching five Indian states—Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh—the Sino-Indian border is strategically divided into three sectors: the Western, Middle, and Eastern sectors.
- The Western Sector:
Separating Jammu and Kashmir from China’s Xinjiang province, this sector’s boundaries are significantly influenced by British policies regarding the state of Jammu and Kashmir. China asserts claims over territories like Aksai Chin, the Changmo valley, Pangong Tso, and the Spongegar Tso area in northeast Ladakh, as well as a strip of approximately 5,000 sq km along the entire length of eastern Ladakh. Additionally, China lays claim to a portion of the Hunza-Gilgit area in North Kashmir, ceded to it in 1963 by Pakistan.
- The Middle Sector:
Touching the borders of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, this sector holds strategic importance in the Sino-Indian boundary.
- The Eastern Sector:
Spanning 1,140 km, the boundary runs from the eastern limit of Bhutan to a point near Diphu Pass (Talu Pass) at the trijunction of India, Tibet, and Myanmar. Often referred to as the McMahon Line, negotiated during the Shimla Accord in 1913-14, it is named after Sir Henry McMahon, then Foreign Secretary of British India.
The India-Nepal Boundary:
Bordering Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim, the porous Indo-Nepalese border allows unrestricted movement of goods and people between the two countries. It predominantly runs in an east-west direction along the foothills of the Shiwalik Range.
The India-Bhutan Boundary:
Characterised by peaceful coexistence, there are no boundary disputes between India and Bhutan.
The Indo-Pakistan Boundary:
Resulting from the 1947 partition under the Radcliffe Award, the Indo-Pakistan boundary includes major disputed regions like Jammu and Kashmir and Sir Creek.
The India-Bangladesh Border:
Stretching 4,096 km, this is India’s longest border, determined under the Radcliffe Award during the division of the province of Bengal.
India-Myanmar Boundary:
Running along the watershed between the Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy, this boundary passes through thickly forested regions, with states like Mizo Hills, Manipur, and Nagaland on the Indian side.
India-Sri Lanka Boundary:
Separated by the Palk Strait, Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu is only 32 km away from Talaimanar in the Jaffna peninsula in Sri Lanka, connected by a group of islets forming Adam’s Bridge.
FAQs: India’s International Boundaries and Landscapes
1. What is the significance of India’s diverse landscapes and international borders?
– India’s diversity extends not only to its people but also to its landscapes in the north, east, west, and south, marked by both land and marine borders. The international borders play a crucial role in shaping India’s strategic, diplomatic, and geographical significance.
2. How extensive is India’s land frontier, and what challenges does it pose?
– India’s land frontier spans approximately 15,200 km, presenting challenges with neighbouring nations due to territorial claims and ill-defined international borders, leading to disputes and complexities in relationships.
3. Which countries share land borders with India, and what are the key statistics?
– India shares land borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Each border has distinct characteristics, with lengths ranging from 80 km (Afghanistan) to 4,096 km (Bangladesh).
4. Which Indian states share borders with neighbouring countries, and how much of India’s land border do they constitute?
– States like Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and others share borders with neighbouring countries, collectively constituting different percentages of India’s total land border.
5. What are the key features of India’s border with China?
– India’s border with China, the second-longest, is strategically divided into three sectors: Western, Middle, and Eastern. It touches states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, and is marked by territorial disputes and claims.
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