Other Neighbours — Revision Notes
⚡ 30-Second Revision
- 7 Land Neighbours (excl. China): — Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar.
- 2 Maritime Neighbours: — Sri Lanka, Maldives.
- Longest Border: — Bangladesh (4096 km).
- Shortest Border: — Afghanistan (106 km, PoK).
- Nepal: — 1950 Treaty, Kalapani dispute, Hydropower.
- Bhutan: — 2007 Treaty, Hydropower, Doklam.
- Bangladesh: — 100th CAA (2015 LBA), Teesta dispute, Connectivity.
- Sri Lanka: — Maritime, Fishermen, Tamil issue, Chinese influence.
- Myanmar: — Act East, Kaladan Project, FMR, Insurgency, Coup impact.
- Afghanistan: — Chabahar, Development aid, Post-Taliban security.
- Maldives: — Indian Ocean, SAGAR, 'India Out' campaign, Strategic location.
- Key Policies: — Neighborhood First, Act East.
2-Minute Revision
India's 'Other Neighbours' include Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Maldives, forming a critical strategic arc. The 'Neighborhood First' policy guides India's engagement, emphasizing connectivity, cooperation, commerce, and cultural exchange.
Land borders are extensive, with Bangladesh sharing the longest (4096 km) and Afghanistan the shortest (106 km, PoK). Key relationships are defined by treaties: the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Nepal (under review, Kalapani dispute), and the 2007 Treaty of Friendship with Bhutan (hydropower cooperation, Doklam significance).
The 2015 Land Boundary Agreement (100th CAA) resolved enclaves with Bangladesh, though Teesta water sharing remains contentious. Myanmar is crucial for the 'Act East' policy, with the Kaladan Multi-Modal project and challenges from the Free Movement Regime and internal conflict.
Maritime neighbours Sri Lanka and Maldives are vital for Indian Ocean security, facing issues like fishermen's rights and Chinese influence, respectively. India's strategy involves balancing its regional power with mutual benefit, countering China's BRI through enhanced aid and connectivity, and addressing shared security concerns like cross-border terrorism and illegal migration.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for UPSC, covering geography, foreign policy, and security.
5-Minute Revision
India's engagement with its 'Other Neighbours' – Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Maldives – is central to its foreign policy, driven by geographical proximity, historical ties, and strategic imperatives.
The 'Neighborhood First' policy, a proactive approach, seeks to foster friendly and mutually beneficial relations through enhanced connectivity (physical, digital, people-to-people), cooperation across sectors, commerce, and cultural exchange.
This policy operates amidst a complex geopolitical landscape, notably the increasing influence of China through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which necessitates India's strategic responses.
Nepal: Shares an open 1,850 km border. The 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship is under review. Key issues include the Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh border dispute and hydropower cooperation. Nepal's role as a buffer state is crucial.
Bhutan: A special relationship, with a 699 km border. The 2007 Treaty of Friendship guides ties. Hydropower is a cornerstone, and Bhutan's strategic location (Doklam) is vital for India's security.
Bangladesh: India's longest land border (4,096 km). The 2015 Land Boundary Agreement (100th CAA) resolved enclaves. Connectivity projects (rail, road, waterways) are key for India's Northeast, but the Teesta water-sharing dispute persists.
Sri Lanka: Maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean. Issues include fishermen's rights, the Tamil question, and concerns over Chinese port projects (Hambantota). Strategically important for maritime security.
Myanmar: Gateway to Southeast Asia, sharing a 1,643 km border. The 'Act East' policy drives engagement, with the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project being a flagship. Challenges include cross-border insurgency, drug trafficking, and the impact of the military coup on the Free Movement Regime.
Afghanistan: Shares a 106 km disputed border (PoK). India has historically provided significant development aid (Salma Dam, Parliament). Post-Taliban, focus is on humanitarian aid and regional security concerns, with Chabahar Port being crucial for connectivity.
Maldives: Maritime neighbour, strategically located in the Indian Ocean. Vital for India's 'SAGAR' vision. Relations have seen fluctuations, with recent 'India Out' campaigns and concerns over Chinese influence.
Common Challenges: Cross-border security threats (terrorism, insurgency, illegal migration), water sharing disputes, managing China's growing influence, and balancing India's regional power with neighbours' sovereignty concerns.
Opportunities: Enhanced regional trade, energy cooperation, infrastructure development, and strengthening people-to-people ties. For UPSC, focus on specific projects, agreements, border details, and the analytical framework of India's evolving foreign policy in a competitive regional environment.
Prelims Revision Notes
- Border Lengths: — Bangladesh (4096 km, longest), Nepal (1850 km), Myanmar (1643 km), Bhutan (699 km), Afghanistan (106 km, shortest, PoK). Total land border ~15,106.7 km.
- States Bordering Neighbours:
* Nepal: Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim. * Bhutan: Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh. * Bangladesh: West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram. * Myanmar: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram.
- Key Treaties/Agreements:
* India-Nepal: 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship (under review). * India-Bhutan: 1949 Treaty of Friendship (revised 2007). * India-Bangladesh: 2015 Land Boundary Agreement (100th Constitutional Amendment Act).
- Major Disputes/Issues:
* Nepal: Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh territorial dispute. * Bangladesh: Teesta River water sharing dispute, illegal migration. * Sri Lanka: Fishermen's issues (Palk Strait), Katchatheevu, Tamil minority rights. * Myanmar: Free Movement Regime (FMR) challenges, cross-border insurgency. * Maldives: 'India Out' campaign, Chinese influence.
- Connectivity Projects:
* Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (India-Myanmar). * Agartala-Akhaura Rail Link (India-Bangladesh). * Chabahar Port (India-Iran, for Afghanistan access). * India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.
- Policies: — 'Neighborhood First' (Modi), 'Act East' (Myanmar as gateway), 'SAGAR' (Indian Ocean, Maldives).
Mains Revision Notes
- Neighborhood First Policy:
* Evolution: From passive Panchsheel to proactive engagement. * Pillars: Connectivity, Cooperation, Commerce, Culture. * Objectives: Mutual prosperity, regional stability, counter external influence, net security provider.
- China Factor (BRI):
* Impact: Debt-trap diplomacy, strategic encirclement (String of Pearls), alternative development model. * India's Response: Enhanced aid, lines of credit, faster project implementation, counter-connectivity, diplomatic outreach, multilateral forums (BIMSTEC).
- Strategic Importance of Neighbours:
* Buffer States (Nepal, Bhutan): Security of Himalayan frontier, water resources. * Gateway to Southeast Asia (Myanmar): 'Act East' policy, trade routes. * Indian Ocean Littoral States (Sri Lanka, Maldives): Maritime security, shipping lanes, counter-piracy, 'SAGAR' vision. * Connectivity for Northeast (Bangladesh): Transit routes, economic integration.
- Key Challenges:
* Border Management: Porous borders, illegal migration, cross-border crime, insurgency (Myanmar, Bangladesh). * Water Disputes: Teesta (Bangladesh), Pancheshwar (Nepal). * Ethnic Issues: Tamil question (Sri Lanka), Rohingya (Bangladesh/Myanmar). * Political Instability: Myanmar coup, Maldives' internal politics. * Balancing Act: India's 'big brother' image vs. sovereign aspirations of smaller states.
- Opportunities: — Regional economic integration, energy cooperation, disaster management, cultural diplomacy, defense cooperation.
Vyyuha Quick Recall
Vyyuha's NEPAL-BSM-AM Mnemonic:
N - Nepal: Nineteen-fifty Treaty, Numerous rivers (water disputes), North-facing (buffer). E - Eastward (Act East Policy). P - Peace and Friendship (Treaty). A - Afghanistan: Access via Chabahar, Aid from India, Always volatile. L - Land Boundary Agreement (100th CAA for Bangladesh).
B - Bhutan: Big brother India (special relationship), Buddhist ties, Big hydropower. S - Sri Lanka: Sea neighbour, Sensitive fishermen, Strategic Indian Ocean. M - Myanmar: Multi-modal (Kaladan), Military coup, Many insurgencies.
A - Act East (Policy for Myanmar). M - Maldives: Maritime security, Major Indian Ocean player, Many diplomatic waves.
Memory Hook: Imagine a 'NEPAL' (the country) that's 'BSM' (Big, Strategic, Maritime) and then 'AM' (Always Moving/Active) in India's foreign policy. Each letter triggers a country and its key features. 'E' and 'A' are policy reminders.