INDIA’S NEIGHBOURS
India is a great country having extensive borders. Its total borderline is nearly 15000 kms. Its northern frontier stretches from Kashmir and goes up to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, touching the border of Burma and Bangladesh.
On the periphery of India, lie many countries. In the north, Kashmir is surrounded by Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tibet and China. Ladakh is the tri-junction where the frontiers of these three countries kiss each other. Afghanistan is though now friendly towards India, Pakistan and China are hostile.
Along the entire Himalayan range lies the kingdom of Bhutan. The Himalayan kingdom has a benevolent king. Its customs, costumes, religion and manners are quite akin to India. There is the beautiful Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. Nepal is a country, situated in the heart of the mighty Himalayas. Its capital is Kathmandu. Kathmandu is a lovely valley. India and Nepal are closely linked culturally and historically.
The borders of India also touch the plateau of Tibet. This heavenly kingdom is now under the direct control of Communist China. It does not have good relationships with India. Tibet is Shangrila, a land of tranquility.
Pakistan is the closest neighbour of India. This country came into existence when India was partitioned in 1947. India has always tried her best to be friendly and cordial with Pakistan, but the latter has always been indulging in such activities as are injurious to India. Moreover, in September, 1965, in December, 1971 and in April-July, 1999, she launched attacks on India. The relationships with Pakistan have never been friendly.
Another neighbour of India is Bangladesh. She is sandwiched between Assam and West Bengal. Bangladesh was born after much bloodshed in December 1971. She proclaimed her Independence on March 26, 1971 when General Yahya Khan let loose the military terror over the unarmed and innocent people of Bangladesh. But the military might of the Pakistan rulers received a deadly blow in the war in December, 1971 against India. Again, military has taken over Pakistan and it is now an unstable state. But Indians want to be friendly towards all of their neighbours.
Burma is another neighbour of India whose borders touch Assam. Sri Lanka is also a neighbour of India. It is an island that lies in the Indian Ocean, about 70 miles from Cape Comorin.
Therefore, India has many neighbours around her. Some of them are friendly while others carry on with a negative attitude towards India.