border countries india

 

Borders of India

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
India and its borders.

The Republic of India shares borders with several sovereign countries; it shares land borders with ChinaBhutanNepalPakistanBangladesh and Myanmar.[1] BangladeshMyanmar, and Pakistan share both land borders as well as maritime borders, while Sri Lanka shares only a maritime border through Ram Setu. India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with ThailandMyanmar and Indonesia.

Borders

Policy

India lacks an official National Border Policy. For strategic national interests, there are suggestions that India should develop a National Border Policy to address border-related issues comprehensively. Not just the fencing of open borders, but also to deal with the negative consequences of porous borders. For example, the India-Nepal border is an open border with no fence, which has reportedly been misused by Pakistan's ISI to create tensions in India.[2]

Land

Barriers

India has constructed fences along the following borders:[3]

Borders

India shares land borders with six sovereign nations. The state's Ministry of Home Affairs also recognizes a 106 kilometres (66 mi) land border with a seventh nation, Afghanistan, as part of its claim on the Kashmir region; however, this is disputed and the region bordering Afghanistan has been administered by Pakistan as part of Gilgit-Baltistan since 1947 (see Durand Line).[4]

Land Border CountryDisputeLength (Km) and (mi)ForceComments
 BangladeshN4,096 kilometres (2,545 mi)Border Security ForceMost of the India–Bangladesh enclaves exchanged in 2015. See Bangladesh Liberation War and Bangladesh–India relations.
 BhutanN578 kilometres (359 mi)[5]Sashastra Seema BalOpen border. See Bhutan–India relations.
 ChinaY3,488 kilometres (2,167 mi)Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Special Frontier ForceAlso see Ardagh–Johnson LineMacartney–MacDonald LineMcMahon LineSino-Indian border dispute and China–India relations.
 MyanmarN1,643 kilometres (1,021 mi)Assam Rifles and Indian ArmySee India-Myanmar relations.
 NepalY1,752 kilometres (1,089 mi)[6]Sashastra Seema BalOpen border. See Kalapani territorySusta territory and India-Nepal relations.
 PakistanY3,320 kilometres (2,060 mi)Border Security ForceAlso see Radcliffe LineLine of ControlActual Ground Position Line and Sir Creek. See Partition of IndiaIndo-Pakistani wars and conflicts and India-Pakistan relations.
 Afghanistan[7]Y106 kilometres (66 mi)Border Security ForcePart I of the Constitution of India defines India's physical land border with 7 countries including with Afghanistan which lies between Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan and disputed Kashmir region (Gilgit)[7] area administered by Pakistan but also claimed by India.[8][9] Also see Afghanistan–Pakistan border dispute and Durand Line.

Border ceremonies

India co-hosts the joint ceremonies with the neighbouring nations at the following border crossings. The most attended and emotionally charged among these is the one at Wagha-Attari Border near Amritsar-Lahore.

BorderCeremony LocationsNotes
India-Pakistan borderAttari–Wagah border ceremony near Amritsar in Punjab.[10][11]Most attended and emotionally charged ceremony
Ganda Singh Wala–Hussainiwala border ceremony near Firozepur in Punjab.[10][11]
Sadqi-Sulemanki border ceremony near Fazilka in Punjab.[12][13][14]
Khokhrapar–Munabao border ceremony in Barmer district of Rajasthan.[10][11]
India-China borderDaulat Beg OldiBorder Personnel Meeting Point (BPM Point)
Spanggur Gap (Chushul)Border Personnel Meeting point
Nathu LaUsed for pilgrims to monasteries in Sikkim; reduces journey time to Lake Manasarovar[15]
Bum La Pass (Tawang)Open on Sundays and during cultural ceremonies
Kaho, India (north of Kibithu in Walong sector)Border Personnel Meeting point
India-Bangladesh borderBenapole–Petrapole border ceremonyDaily joint ceremony by Border Security Force and Border Guards Bangladesh[16][17]

Maritime borders and EEZs

EEZs in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans

Maritime borders of India are the maritime boundary recognized by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea entails boundaries of territorial waterscontiguous zones, and exclusive economic zones. India, with its claim of a 12-nautical-mile (22 km; 14 mi) territorial maritime zone and 200-nautical-mile (370 km; 230 mi) exclusive economic zone, has a more than 7,000-kilometre (4,300 mi) maritime border shared with seven nations.

Maritime Border CountryLength (km) and (mi)ForceComments
 BangladeshIndian NavyNew Moore Island in Bay of Bengal
 Indonesia555 kilometres (345 mi)Indian NavyIndira Point in Andaman Sea
 MyanmarIndian NavyLandfall Island in Andaman Sea
 PakistanIndian NavySir Creek in Arabian Sea
 ThailandIndian NavySimilan Islands in Andaman Sea
 Sri Lanka>400 kilometres (250 mi)[18]Indian NavyKatchatheevu in Palk Strait
 Maldives1,009 kilometres (627 mi)Indian NavyMaliku Kandu in Laccadive Sea

Designated border crossings

The map of ICP and LCS.

Integrated Check Posts (ICP)

India has 7 functional ICPs, and plans are underway to upgrade 13 more LCS to ICP, including 7 at borders taking total of border ICP to 14, at the cost of ₹3,005 crore (US$360 million)(56 Australian Dollars as of May 2025)(c. June 2024 ).[19][20] Designated Integrated Check Posts (ICP), with both customs and immigration facilities are:[21]

BorderStateCheck PostStatusNotesReferences
India–BangladeshAssamSutarkandiPlannedConnects to Golapganj uppozilla in Sylhet District[19]
MeghalayaDawki ICPOperational since 2018Connects to Tambil post (Bangladesh)[22]
MizoramKawrpuichhuah (near Tlabung)Operational since Oct 2017On Khawthalangtuipui river (Karnaphuli)[19][23][24]
TripuraAgartalaAkhauraOperational (c. 2017)Connects to Dhaka[20]
Belonia–ParshuramRoad and rail crossing
West BengalPetrapoleOperational (c. 2017)Connects Kolkata to Dhaka[20]
GhojadangaPlanned[19][25]
MahadipurIn-principle approval (2019)Connects to Rajshahi[25][19]
FulbariPlanned[19]
HiliPlanned[19]
India–BhutanWest BengalJaigaonPlan approved (c. 2016)In Alipurduar district[26]
India–MyanmarManipurMoreh ICPOperational[27]
MizoramZochawchhuah–ZorinpuiOperational since Oct 2017On Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project[27][24]
India–NepalUttarakhandBanbasaIn-principle approval (2019)In Champawat district[25]
BiharBhitthamoreIn-principle approval (2019)In Sitamarhi district[25][28]
BiharJogbani[26]
West BengalPanitankiIn-principle approval (2019)In Darjeeling district[26][25]
BiharICP Raxaul[26]
Uttar PradeshSonauli[citation needed]
Uttar PradeshRupaidiha[26]
Uttar PradeshTaulihawa-Siddharthnagar[26]
India–PakistanPunjabAttariOperational (2017)At Wagah (see Samjhauta Express)
PunjabKartarpur CorridorVisa-free access to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib
RajasthanMunabao(see Thar Express)

Land Customs Stations (LCS)

BorderStateLand Customs StationConnecting To (Bangladesh)StatusNotesReferences
India–BangladeshAssamMankacharRowmari post (Natun Bandar, Rangpur division)Functional[29]
Karimganj Steamer and Ferry Station (KSFS)Zakiganj post (Sylhet division)Functional[29]
Guwahati Steamer Ghat (Dhubri district)Functional[29]
Dhubri Steamer GhatRowmati (Maymansingh division)Functional[29]
Mahisasan railway stationShahbazpur (Sylhet division)Non-functional[29]
GolokganjSonahaat (Rangpur Division)Non-functional[29]
Silchar Railway Mail ServiceNon-functionalInland LCS (no border crossing)[29]
India–BangladeshMeghalayaBaghmara (South Garo Hills)Bijoyour postFunctional[29]
BholaganjChatak (Sunamganj division)Functional[29]
Borsara (West Khasi Hills)Borsara postFunctional[29]
MahendraganjBakshiganjFunctionalOn NH12[29]
DaluNakugaon postFunctionalOn NH217[29]
ShellabazarSunamganj (Sylhet division)Functional[29]
GasuaparaKaroitol (Mymansing division)Functional[29]
Ryngku (East Khasi Hills)Kalibari (Sonamganj division)Non-functional[29]
Balat (East Khasi Hills)Dolura (Sylhet division)Non-functional[29]
India–BangladeshTripuraSrimantapurBibir Bazar (Comilla division)OperationalBecame operational January 2016[30]
DhalaighatKumarghat (Sunamganj division)Functional[29]
KhowaighatBalla (Habiganj division)Functional[29]
ManuChatlapur (Sylhet division)Functional[29]
MuhurighatBelonia (Feni division)Functional[29]
Old RagnabazarBetul (Fultali) (Sylhet division)Functional[29]
India–BangladeshMizoramKawarpuchiahOperationalOpened October 2017 by PM Modi[31]
DemagiriRangamati (Sylhet division)Non-functional[29]
India–PakistanRajasthanLongewalaIn Jaisalmer district

Border markets

This is incomplete list of designated border markets, also called bazaars and haats, established by the efforts of Ministry of External Affairs.[21]

India–Bangladesh

India–Bangladesh Border Haats
StateDistrictLocationReference
MeghalayaEast Khasi Hills districtBalat[32]
Bholaganj[32]
South West Garo Hills districtKalaichar[32]
Ryngku[32]
West Garo Hills districtNalikata[32]
Shibbari[32]
MizoramMamit districtMapara - Longkor
Tuipuibari - Not provided
Lunglei districtSilsury - Mahmuam
Nunsuri - Not provided
TripuraWest Tripura districtKamalasagar
Boxanagar
Bamutia
South Tripura districtSrinagar, Tripura
Ekimpur
North Tripura districtPal Basti (Raghna)
Hiracherra (Kailasahar)
Kamalpur, Tripura (Dhalai)

India–Bhutan

India-Bhutan Border Haat on India-Bhutan border are in operation, such as the Gelephu-Hatisar border market road entry point,[33] Phuntsholing to its west and Samdrup Jongkhar to its east are two other border market road entry points into Bhutan.

India–Myanmar

India–Myanmar border Haats are.[34][35]

India–Myanmar Border Haats
StateDistrictIndian LocationMyanmar LocationReference
Arunachal PradeshChanglang districtPangsau Pass (Nampong)Pangsau, Kachin State[34][35]
Chingsa (Khimiyang Circle)Langhong, Kachin State[34][35]
Makantong (Khimiyang Circle)Ngaimong, Kachin State[34][35]
Tirap districtWakka/Pongchao/LazuTirap, Kachin State[34][35]
ManipurUkhrul districtKongkan ThanaAungci (suggested by State Government)[34][35]
Chandel districtNew SomtalThenjen, or Khampat[34][35]
Churachandpur districtBehiangKhenman, or Chikha[34][35]
MizoramLawngtlai districtHruitezawlVarang[34][35]
Champhai districtHnahlanDarkhai[34][35]
VaphaiLeilet[34][35]
Siaha districtChakhangNviaphia[34][35]
NagalandTuensang districtAvakhungLayshi (32 km apart)[34][35]
PangshaLahe/Hkamti District HQ (60 km apart)[34][35]
Mon districtChemoho/LongwaLahe (60 km apart)[34][35]
Phek districtMolhePansat (10 km apart)[34][35]

Pradeep Damodaran's book Borderlands: Travels Across India's Boundaries chronicles all land borders of India.[36] The Bollywood director J. P. Dutta has specialised in making Hindi movies with India's border as a key element of the theme, his movies are BorderRefugeeLOC: KargilPaltan, etc.[37]

See also

India related
Lists

References

  1.  "Neighbouring Countries of India 2020: Map, Capitals, Connected States"www.careerpower.in.
  2.  [1], Sunday Guardian, 11 Feb 2024
  3.  1643 km Indo-Myanmar border to be fenced, a patrol track to be built: Amit Shah, Hindustan Times, 6 Feb 2024.
  4.  "India Department of Border Management Intro" (PDF).
  5.  SSB to strengthen presence on India-Bhutan border, Times of India, 20 Dec 2017.
  6.  "doklam: SSB to strengthen presence on India-Bhutan border | India News - Times of India"The Times of India. 20 December 2017.
  7.  Wakhan Corridor — India’s forgotten 106-km border with Afghanistan is back in playThePrint, 21 Oct 2025.
  8.  Yahuda, Michael (2 June 2002). "China and the Kashmir crisis". BBC. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  9.  Chang, I-wei Jennifer (9 February 2017). "China's Kashmir Policies and Crisis Management in South Asia". United States Institute of Peace. Archived from the original on 10 March 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  10.  5 crossing points in India: All you need to know, India Today, 10 OCt 2016.
  11.  Beating Retreat Wagah India, CHanging Guards, accessed 8 July 2021.
  12.  Sadqi retreat ceremony, nic.in, accessed 8 July 2021.
  13.  Second Wagah: India, Pak agree to new ceremony, beating retreat on Punjab border, Hindustan Times, 201 April 2017.
  14.  At Sadiqi border, strained Indo-Pak ties dampen spirits, The Tribune, 17 April 2019.
  15.  Vinayak, G (28 July 2004). "Nathu La: closed for review"The Rediff SpecialRediff.comArchived from the original on 22 February 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  16.  "Retreat Ceremony at Indo–Bangladesh Border"PIB. Press Information Bureau. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  17.  Kumar, Satish (14 July 2015). India's National Security: Annual Review 2014. Routledge India. p. 512. ISBN 978-1138927438.
  18.  "Fishing rights disputes between India and Sri Lanka". Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
  19.  [2], Indian Express, Oct 2017.
  20.  "India plans to construct 7 integrated check posts on the border with Bangladesh"Dhaka Tribune. October 18, 2017.
  21.  "Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, North East India"mdoner.gov.in.
  22.  Dawki ICP foundation stone laid.
  23.  [3]
  24.  "12th Five Year Plan". Archived from the original on 2013-06-19. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  25.  Delhi approves Sutarkandi integrated check post along Indo-Bangla border, North East News, 7 Jan 2019.
  26.  Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border to have more ICP, Oct 2016.
  27.  India opens two border crossing points with Myanmar, BangladeshTimes of India, 1 Oct 2017.
  28.  "सीतामढ़ी के भिठ्ठामोड़ में भारत-नेपाल सीमा के नो-मेंस लैंड पर बनेगा इंटीग्रेटेड चेकपोस्ट".
  29.  ICP and LCS
  30.  "Tripura opens new land customs station along Bangladesh border"bdnews24.com.
  31.  "India opens two border crossing points with Myanmar, Bangladesh"@businessline. October 2017.
  32.  Meghalaya border haats, megindustry.gov.in, accessed 28 Aug 2021.
  33.  An Ethnographic Insight on Border-Markets: Reflections from the Indo-Bhutan Border, sadf.eu, accessed 23 October 2024.
  34.  Closer economic ties with neighbours vitalThe Hindu, 7 May 2019.
  35.  Border haats of India
  36.  What will you see if you visit the precise point where India ends and Sri Lanka begins?, Scroll.in, 1 March 2017.
  37.  Adrian M. Athique, 2010, A Line in the Sand: The India–Pakistan Border in the Films of J.P. Dutta, Centre for Critical and Cultural Studies, University of Queensland, Pages 472-499.

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