Short Notes on India’s Neighbours

Short Notes on India’s Neighbours

India has an important strategic position in South Asia.

i. It has 28 States and 7 Union Territories. Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands are two Union Territories, situated in Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal respectively.

ii. India has its common land boundary with Pakistan, Afghanistan in the north-west China, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan in the north and Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east.

iii. India’s southern neighbours across the sea are two Island states.

iv. They are Sri Lanka and Maldives.

a. Sri Lanka is separated from India by a narrow channel of sea formed by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar.

b. Maldives Islands are situated to the south of the Lakshadweep Islands.

v. India has strong geographical and historical contacts and links with its neighbours.

vi. India stands apart from the rest of Asia.

vii. Mountains in the north and Ocean on its three sides have given it a distinct geographical entity.

vii. Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India form the most natural geographical unit. This unit is referred to as the Indian subcontinent.

ix. Vast area of diverse landmasses has helped India display a distinct physical identity of its own.