List of Neighbouring Countries of India with Borders & Key Facts

India is a significant geopolitical power in Asia, sharing land borders with seven nations. The Neighbouring Countries of India include Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. India also shares Maritime Borders with Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Neighbouring Countries of India

Neighbouring Countries of India hold significant importance due to shared boundaries, historical ties, trade partnerships, and security considerations. India has 15,106.7 km of land border and a coastline of 7,516.6 km, including island territories. To the northwest, India shares borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, while China, Nepal, and Bhutan lie along its northern frontier. In the east, India borders Bangladesh and Myanmar. The maritime neighbors include Sri Lanka to the southeast and the Maldives to the southwest, both separated by the Indian Ocean.

India shares its Longest International Border with Bangladesh, measuring 4,096 km. The 106 km border with Afghanistan is not internationally recognised, as the region adjoining Afghanistan has been administered by Pakistan as part of Gilgit-Baltistan. 

Details about the Neighbouring Countries of India

The Neighbouring Countries of India include Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. These countries surround India from all directions and have distinct characteristics that define their bilateral and multilateral relations with India.

Pakistan

Capital: Islamabad
Border: 3,323 KM

• Among the most discussed Neighbouring Countries of India, Pakistan lies to the Northwest. Pakistan was created out of the Partition of British India in 1947. The border between India and Pakistan is also called the Radcliffe Line.

• India and Pakistan share a 3,323 KM long border across states like Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir. This relationship has been marked by historic conflict, most notably over the acquisition of Kashmir.

• India and Pakistan have been engaged in wars, such as the Indo-Pak War of 1965, the Indo-Pak War of 1971, which led to the Liberation of Bangladesh, and the Kargil War of 1999.

• India and Pakistan have signed various treaties, such as the Indus Water Treaty 1960 and the Simla Agreement 1972. The 776 KM long Line of Control (LoC) is the border between India and Pakistan in Kashmir.

Bangladesh

Capital: Dhaka
Border: 4,096 KM

• India shares its Longest Land Border with Bangladesh, stretching over approximately 4,096 km. This boundary runs along 5 Indian states – West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. India also shares a Maritime Border with Bangladesh.

• The India-Bangladesh relationship has evolved significantly since 1971, when India played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s Independence. Today, the two countries cooperate on trade, water sharing, energy, and regional connectivity. India also shares cultural ties with Bangladesh.

• Agreements like the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) have helped resolve long-standing border disputes. Bangladesh is a key country in India’s “Act East Policy,” and one of the most crucial neighbouring countries of India from both strategic and economic perspectives.

China

Capital: Beijing (Peking)
Border: 3,488 KM

• India and China share a 3,488 km-long border, making it the second-longest boundary India has with any country. The bordering Indian states are Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

• The relationship is often tense due to territorial disputes, especially in areas like Aksai Chin, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh. Incidents such as the Doklam standoff (2017) and the Galwan Valley clash (2020) have created bilateral tensions.

• India and China had tensions, including the Sino-India War of 1962, and Military Standoffs in 1967 and 1987.

• China remains one of the most significant neighboring countries of India, impacting its foreign policy and security strategy.

• China was India’s Largest Trading Partner between 2008 and 2021.

Nepal

Capital: Kathmandu
Border: 1752 KM

• India shares a 1,752 km open border with Nepal, which permits Nepali and Indian citizens to travel between the two countries without a visa. The bordering Indian states are Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

• Nepal and India have deep ties through common religious and cultural traditions.

• India supports Nepal with trade and development projects, but there have been small border disputes in recent years, such as the border disputes of Kalapani-Limpiyadhura. And Nepal’s tilt towards China in recent years has caused diplomatic friction.

Bhutan

Capital: Thimphu
Border: 578 KM

• Bhutan is often cited as one of the closest and most reliable neighboring countries of India, with deep cooperation in foreign policy, defense, and economic development.

• India is the Largest Investor in Bhutan’s Hydropower Sector, purchasing electricity and aiding infrastructure growth.

• Bhutan has consistently aligned with India on regional issues, making it one of the most peaceful neighbouring countries of India. India has a 578 KM border with Bhutan, protected by the Sashtra Seema Bal.

• The bordering Indian states are Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh

Sri Lanka

Capital: Colombo
Maritime Neighbour

• India is the Largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Sri Lanka, with a total investment of USD 2.25 billion up to 2023. In the year 2023 alone, Indian investments amounted to USD 198.1 million, reflecting the strong economic partnership between the two countries.

• Though separated by the sea, Sri Lanka is a crucial maritime neighbour, only about 40 km away via the Palk Strait.

• Sri Lanka’s strategic location has made it a battleground for India-China influence, especially with China’s involvement in ports like Hambantota.

• India has provided assistance during economic crises, invested in railways, housing, and healthcare. During the COVID-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka, India donated 500,000 units of the Covishield vaccine and 100,000 Rapid Antigen Test Kits.

Myanmar

Capital: Naypyidaw
Border: 1643 KM

• India shares a 1,643 KM land border with Myanmar, which is also a Maritime Neighbouring Country of India. It is a part ofthe  ASEAN nations.

• Several tribes and ethnic groups span both sides of the India-Myanmar border, particularly in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh, and act as cultural ties between North East India and Myanmar.

• There are certain security challenges, such as the porous border between the two nations is often exploited by militants, drug traffickers, and insurgents, prompting joint security operations.

• India is investing in major infrastructure projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project.

Afghanistan

Capital: Kabul
Border: 106 km (Internationally unrecognised)

• The 106 km border with Afghanistan is not internationally recognised as the region bordering Afghanistan has been administered by Pakistan as part of Gilgit-Baltistan.

• Even without a direct border, Afghanistan is still considered a neighboring country of India because of cultural ties and regional interests.

• India has helped Afghanistan by building more than 200 schools, libraries, hospitals, roads, and the Parliament building of Afghanistan. India is the Largest Regional Donor of Afghanistan.

• After the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban, the Indian Armed Forces started Operation Devi Shakti to evacuate Indian citizens from Afghanistan.

Maldives

Capital: Male
Maritime Neighbour

• India shares a Maritime border with the Maldives, and both countries have historical and cultural ties.

• India has always been a First responder during crises in the Maldives. In 1988, India carried out Operation Cactus to stop a coup, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, India provided medical supplies, vaccines, and essential goods.

• India is also a major development partner for the Maldives. India is involved in key projects like the Greater Male Connectivity Project, which is the Largest Infrastructure Project in the Maldives.
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• Maldives are strategically very important, as it lie in the centre of key shipping routes in the Indian Ocean. India and the Maldives regularly conduct joint naval exercises like Exercise Ekuverin to maintain maritime security.