India and its neighboring countries
India possesses a land border extending for 15,106.7 kilometers. Its coastline measures 7,516.6 kilometers in total. India shares its borders with nine neighboring countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Myanmar.
Neighboring Countries of India
- Afghanistan
- Pakistan
- China
- Nepal
- Bhutan
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Maldives
- Myanmar
Total Land Border of India: 15,106.7 kilometers
Total Length of Indian Coastline: 7,516.6 kilometers
This information serves as a valuable reference for understanding the neighboring countries of India, including details about its land border, coastline, and the diverse nations that share geographical boundaries with India. This knowledge is useful for exams that cover general awareness and static GK topics. The source of this information is the official Government of India website.
India’s neighboring countries, their capitals, border lengths, and the Indian states bordering them
| Country | Capital | Border Length | Bordering Indian States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Kabul | 106 km | Ladakh (PoK) |
| Bangladesh | Dhaka | 4096.7 km | West Bengal, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Assam |
| Bhutan | Thimphu | 699 km | West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam |
| China | Beijing | 3488 km | Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh |
| Myanmar | Naypyidaw, Yangon | 1643 km | Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur |
| Nepal | Kathmandu | 1751 km | Bihar, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, West Bengal |
| Pakistan | Islamabad | 3323 km | Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat |
| Sri Lanka | Colombo (Commercial), Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (Legislative) | Sea Border | Separated by the Gulf of Mannar |
| Maldives | Male | Sea Border | South-west part of Indian Ocean below the Lakshadweep Islands |
Neighboring Countries of India – Important Details:
1. Sri Lanka:
- Chief Justice: Jayantha Jayasuriya
- Official Languages: Sinhala, Tamil
- States/Provinces: 9 states
- Capital and Largest City: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
- Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
- National Game: Volleyball
- National Bird: Ceylon (Jungle Fowl)
- National Fruit: Jackfruit
- National Tree: Ironwood
- National Flower: Bluewater Lily
- Highest Peak: Pidurutalagala
- Longest River: Mahaweli
- Religion: 70.2% Buddhism, 12.6% Hinduism
- Parliament: Parliament with 225 seats
- Famous Festivals: Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Vesak, Poson Festival, Kandy Esala Perahera, Kataragama Festival, Vel Festival, Deepavali
2. China
- States/Provinces: 26 Provinces
- Capital: Beijing
- Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY)
- National Game: Table Tennis
- National Bird: Red-crowned Crane
- National Fruit: Kiwifruit
- National Tree: Maidenhair Tree
- National Flower: Plum Blossom (Prunus mei)
- National Animal: Giant Panda
- Longest River: Yangtze River
- Boundaries: Shares boundaries with Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh
- Parliament: National Assembly with 2980 members
- Border: McMahon Line
3. Myanmar
- National Anthem: Kaba Ma Kyei
- Official Language: Burmese
- National Animal: Tiger
- Capital and Largest City: Naypyidaw
- Currency: Burmese Kyat
- National Game: Chinlone (Caneball)
- National Bird: Grey Peacock-Pheasant
- National Fruit: Padauk
- National Tree: Green Peafowl
- Parliament: The House of Representatives (440 seats)
- Highest Peak: Hkakabo Razi
- Longest River: Irrawaddy River
- Famous Festivals: Thingyan, Kasone, Nayon
4. Afghanistan
- Parliament: Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) with 250 members
- Official Languages: Dari and Pashto
- State/Provinces: 34 Provinces
- Capital and Largest City: Kabul
- Currency: Afghan Afghani
- National Game: Buzkashi
- National Bird: Grey Peacock, the Golden Eagle
- National Fruit: Prunus Persica
- National Tree: Afghan Pine
- National Animal: Snow Leopard
- Border: Durand Line
5. Bhutan
- Monarch: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
- Prime Minister: Lotay Tshering
- Upper House: National Council
- Official Language: Dzongkha
- State/Provinces: 20 States
- Capital and Largest City: Thimphu
- Currency: Ngultrum (BTN)
- National Animal: Takin
- National Bird: The Raven
- National Game: Archery
- National Tree: Cypress (Tsenden)
- National Flower: Blue Poppy
- Religion: 77.4% Vajrayana Buddhism, 22.6% Hinduism
- Lower House: National Assembly (Tshogdu) with 55 seats
6. Nepal
- Official Language: Nepali
- State/Provinces: 7 Provinces
- Capital and Largest City: Kathmandu
- Currency: Nepalese Rupee
- National Game: Volleyball
- National Bird: Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus)
- National Animal: Cow
- National Tree: Ficus Religiosa (Peepal Tree)
- National Flower: Rhododendron
- Highest Peak: Mount Everest
- Longest River: Karnali
- Parliament: The National Assembly with 275 seats
7. Bangladesh
- Official Language: Bengali
- State/Provinces: 8 Provinces
- Capital: Dhaka
- Currency: Bangladeshi Taka
- National Game: Volleyball
- National Bird: Oriental Magpie-Robin
- National Fruit: Jackfruit (kathal)
- National Tree: Mango Tree
- National Animal: Royal Bengal Tiger
- Highest Peak: Keokradong
- Longest River: Surma
- Religion: Islam
- Parliament: Jatiyo Sangsad (Bengali) with 350 members
- Border: Radcliffe Line
8. Pakistan
- Official Languages: Urdu, English
- State/Provinces: 4 Provinces
- Capital: Islamabad
- Currency: Pakistani Rupee
- National Game: Field Hockey
- National Bird: Chukar Partridge
- National Fruit: Mango (Summer), Guava (Winter)
- National Tree: Deodar
- National Anthem: Quami Taranah
- Highest Peak: K2
- Longest River: Indus River
- Religion: Islam
- Parliament: National Assembly with 342 seats
- Border: Radcliffe Line
9. Maldives
- Parliament: People’s Majlis
- Official Language: Dhivehi
- State/Provinces: 1 Only
- Capital and Largest City: Malé
- Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa
- National Game: Football
- National Bird: White-breasted Waterhen
- National Fruit: Coconut
- National Tree: Coconut Tree
- National Animal: Yellowfin Tuna
Afghanistan, positioned in south-central Asia, is a landlocked nation with a diverse population. It occupies a strategic location, serving as a vital crossroads for trade connections that link southern and eastern Asia to both Europe and the Middle East. The country’s geographical location has historically made it an intersection for significant trade routes, facilitating the movement of goods and cultural exchange across different regions.
Bhutan is a nation located in south-central Asia, positioned within the eastern stretches of the Himalayan mountain ranges. This unique geographical location places Bhutan within the majestic Himalayas, contributing to its distinctive landscape, culture, and environment.
Bangladesh is a nation located in South Asia, specifically within the delta region formed by the confluence of the Padma (Ganges) and Jamuna (Brahmaputra) rivers. Positioned in the northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent, Bangladesh’s geographical identity is deeply tied to its river systems. This riverine country, often referred to as the “Land of the Bengals,” boasts a significant population density, ranking among the most densely inhabited countries worldwide. The intricate network of rivers has played a crucial role in shaping Bangladesh’s landscape, culture, and way of life.
China holds the distinction of being the world’s most populous country, with a population surpassing that of any other nation. Notably, it also claims the title of the largest country in Asia. Encompassing a vast expanse, China stretches across almost the entirety of East Asia. In terms of land area, only Russia and Canada surpass China in size, and its geographical magnitude is comparable to that of the entire European continent. This extensive territorial span underscores China’s significance on the global stage, both in terms of population and geographical scale.
Myanmar is positioned in the western segment of mainland Southeast Asia. The nation’s official English name was modified from the Union of Burma, used since 1885, to the Union of Myanmar in 1989.
Nepal is situated alongside the southern reaches of the Himalayan mountain range. It is a landlocked country bordered by India to the east, south, and west, and by China’s Tibet Autonomous Region to the north.
Pakistan, a populous and ethnically diverse nation in South Asia, has profound historical and cultural ties with its neighboring countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, and India. These connections are due to its predominantly Indo-Iranian-speaking populace.
Sri Lanka, an island nation, is located in the Indian Ocean and is separated from the Indian peninsula by the Palk Strait. The island’s strategic geographical positioning has historically influenced its cultural, economic, and geopolitical interactions in the region.
Neighboring countries of India: Questions
1. What are the neighboring countries of India?
Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, China, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
2. How many neighboring states does India have?
Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka (Shared coastal line).
3. What are the capitals of the neighboring countries of India?
- Afghanistan: Kabul
- Bangladesh: Dhaka
- Bhutan: Thimphu
- China: Beijing
- Myanmar: Naypyidaw
- Nepal: Kathmandu
- Pakistan: Islamabad
- Sri Lanka: Colombo & Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
4. What is the border between India and Pakistan called?
The geopolitical border is the Radcliffe Line that divides India and Pakistan
5. What is the border between India and China called?
The India-China border is called the McMahon Line
6. Which Indian state has the longest border with Pakistan?
Jammu and Kashmir has the longest border with Pakistan at 1222 kilometers, followed by Rajasthan at 1179 kilometers. Punjab has 425 kilometers, compared to 506 kilometers for Gujara
7. Which Indian states border China?
The border with China is shared by Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand
8. How many countries does India share its land border with?
India shares its land border with 9 countries
9. Which of the following countries does NOT share a land border with India?
Sri Lanka
10. Which Indian state shares its border with Afghanistan?
None. No Indian state shares a direct land border with Afghanistan
11. Which two countries are located to the North-West of India?
Afghanistan and Pakistan
12. India shares its water borders with which two countries?
Sri Lanka (from the South-East) and Maldives (from the South-West)
13. How long is India’s total coastline including the mainland and islands?
The total length of India’s coastline, including the mainland and islands, is 7,516.6 km
14. Which country is located to the far East of India?
Myanmar
15. Which Indian state shares its border with China?
Sikkim
16. Which neighboring country of India is known as the “Land of Thunder Dragon”?
Bhutan
17. Which two countries are located to the North of India?
Nepal and China
India-China Relations:
- Historical Connections: India and China have historical ties dating back to ancient times.
- Panchsheel Pact: The signing of the Panchsheel Pact was a significant event in the bilateral relationship, emphasizing peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.
- 1962 Border Conflict: A border dispute in 1962 led to a war between India and China, resulting in strained relations.
- Efforts for Improvement: Over time, efforts have been made to improve relations between the two nations, focusing on trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchanges.
India-Pakistan Relations:
- Shared Heritage: India and Pakistan were once part of the same country, sharing a common heritage and culture.
- Conflicts: Major conflicts, including the Kargil conflict, have strained relations between the two nations.
- Ongoing Efforts: Despite conflicts, ongoing efforts are being made to foster a friendly relationship, focusing on dialogue and cooperation.
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC):
- Establishment and Aim: SAARC was established to promote peace, stability, and economic progress in the South Asian region through mutual cooperation.
- Member Countries: SAARC comprises countries in South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan.
India-Bangladesh Relations:
- Support for Independence: India played a pivotal role in supporting Bangladesh’s struggle for independence from Pakistani rule.
- Strong Ties: This support has led to the development of strong political, economic, and cultural ties between India and Bangladesh.
India-Sri Lanka Relations:
- Deep-Rooted Connections: India and Sri Lanka share deep connections rooted in ancient history, mythology, and culture.
- Challenges: Some challenges, particularly related to the Indian-origin population in Sri Lanka, have arisen.
- Positive Relations: Despite challenges, political and trade relations between India and Sri Lanka have remained positive.
