List of India’s Neighbouring Countries

India is the seventh largest country in the world and the second most populated country after China. India has a vast geographical area, with a land border of 15,106.7 km and a coastline of 7,516.6 km. Due to its strategic location in South Asia, India shares its borders with seven neighbouring countries by land and two by sea. 

The neighbouring countries of India include Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Afghanistan on land, while Sri Lanka and the Maldives share maritime boundaries. Each of India's neighbouring countries has cultural, historical, and economic ties with India. Below is the list of India neighbouring countries, along with the Indian states that share borders with them.

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Neighbouring Countries of India

Check out the list of Neighbouring Countries of India:- 

Countries Sharing Land Borders with India (7 Countries)

1. Bangladesh – Longest border with India (4,096 km)

2. China – Northern neighbour (3,488 km)

3. Pakistan – Northwest neighbour (3,323 km)

4. Nepal – Northern neighbour (1,751 km)

5. Myanmar – Eastern neighbour (1,643 km)

6. Bhutan – Smallest neighbouring country (699 km)

7. Afghanistan – Shares a border with India in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir region (106 km)

Countries Sharing Sea Borders with India (2 Countries)

8. Sri Lanka – Separated by the Palk Strait

9. Maldives – Located southwest of India in the Indian Ocean

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List of India’s Neighbouring Countries

Check out the details of countries near India below:- 

Map of India's Neighbouring Countries 

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Physics Feature of India's Neighbouring Countries

1. Afghanistan

• Afghanistan has many mountains, which affect its weather and climate.

• It faces earthquake risks because of its location on tectonic plates.

• The country experiences cold winters due to its high altitude.

• Afghanistan has natural resources, including minerals and water, which are important for energy.

• The country has limited energy infrastructure, especially in remote areas.

•  Afghanistan offers potential for trade routes that connect India to Central Asia and beyond, helping in economic cooperation.

2. Bangladesh

• Bangladesh has many rivers that play a big role in agriculture and flooding.

• The country faces heavy monsoon rains that impact crops and infrastructure.

• Bangladesh is at risk of earthquakes because it lies near tectonic plates.

• It has a dense population, which puts pressure on energy and resources.

• Bangladesh is working on using solar energy as a renewable resource.

•  India can benefit from strong trade relations, especially in textiles, agriculture, and shared river management.

3. Bhutan

• Bhutan has many rivers, which are used for hydropower.

• The country is in a seismic zone, so earthquakes are possible.

• Bhutan has high mountains, which affect its weather and air pressure.

• It experiences cold weather in the winter due to its altitude.

• Bhutan is focusing on hydroelectric power as a major source of energy.

•  India imports hydropower from Bhutan, helping meet its energy demands, especially in the north-east.

4. China

• China has a wide variety of climates, from deserts to tropical regions.

• The country faces earthquake risks because it is near tectonic boundaries.

• China is a major producer of renewable energy, especially in solar power.

• It has high-altitude regions like the Tibetan Plateau, which affect weather and climate.

• China has advanced nuclear technology, which influences energy production.

•  India benefits from trade relations with China in technology, goods, and infrastructure development, though the relationship is complex.

5. Myanmar

• Myanmar has a tropical climate, with heavy monsoon rains.

• The country is located near seismic fault lines, making it prone to earthquakes.

• Myanmar has many rivers, which provide water and help in agriculture.

• The country has potential for geothermal energy due to volcanic activity.

• Myanmar is exploring wind energy due to its coastal locations.

•  India can access Myanmar’s strategic ports, boosting its trade and regional connectivity.

6. Nepal

• Nepal's Himalayan mountains affect the weather and make it prone to earthquakes.

• The country has great potential for hydropower due to its rivers.

• Nepal experiences low air pressure in its high-altitude regions.

• The country is focusing on solar energy for rural areas without access to electricity.

• Nepal’s climate varies from cold in the mountains to warm in the valleys.

•  India has access to Nepal’s hydropower potential, which can enhance its power supply, especially in the north.

7. Pakistan

• Pakistan has deserts and rivers that impact its weather and agriculture.

• The country is vulnerable to earthquakes, especially in the northern regions.

• Pakistan faces water issues, as its rivers are crucial for its agricultural economy.

• The country is exploring renewable energy, particularly in wind and solar power.

• Pakistan’s climate varies from hot in the south to cold in the north.

•  India and Pakistan share crucial water resources, and cooperation in managing rivers like the Indus can benefit both countries.

8. Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka has a tropical climate, with regular monsoon rains.

• The country is located in the Indian Ocean, which affects its weather patterns.

• Sri Lanka faces the risk of tsunamis due to its location near the ocean.

• It has been increasing its use of solar energy for sustainable power.

• Sri Lanka's coastal areas are important for fishing and marine life.

•  Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean aids India in maritime security and trade routes.

9. Maldives

• The Maldives is made up of small islands, making it very vulnerable to rising sea levels.

• The country has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures year-round.

• The Maldives depends on solar energy due to its high amount of sunlight.

• It has coral reefs, which are vital for marine biodiversity.

• The Maldives is affected by ocean currents, which influence its weather and environment.

•  India benefits from good diplomatic relations with the Maldives, enhancing trade and security in the Indian Ocean region.

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Interesting Facts About India’s Neighbouring Countries

1. Afghanistan is home to the Bamiyan Buddhas, once the largest standing Buddha statues in the world, which were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.

2. Bangladesh is one of the world’s most densely populated countries and has the world’s longest unbroken sea beach at Cox's Bazar, stretching 120 km.

3. Bhutan is the only country in the world to have gross national happiness as a core measure of development, instead of GDP.

4. China is home to the Great Wall, one of the seven wonders of the world, which stretches over 21,000 km and is visible from space in some places.

5. Myanmar is famous for the Shwedagon Pagoda, which is one of the oldest and most famous pagodas in the world, dating back over 2,600 years.

6. Nepal is the only country in the world that doesn’t have a rectangular flag. The flag is a combination of two triangles and represents the Himalayan mountains.

7. Pakistan has the world’s highest paved international road, the Karakoram Highway, which connects it to China through the Himalayas.

8. Sri Lanka is known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean due to its rich biodiversity and stunning beaches. It also has 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

9. Maldives is made up of over 1,000 islands, but only around 200 islands are inhabited. It is also the flattest country on Earth.

Read More: States and Capitals of India

India Neighbouring Countries FAQs

1. How many neighbouring countries does India have?

 India shares its borders with 9 neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

2. Which neighbouring country of India has the longest border?

   Bangladesh shares the longest border with India, spanning over 4,096.7 km.

3. Which neighbouring country of India has the smallest border?

   Bhutan shares the smallest land border with India, measuring around 699 km.

4. What is the main benefit of India’s relationship with Bangladesh?

   India and Bangladesh have strong trade relations, and both countries benefit from cooperation in areas such as river management, especially the Ganges and Teesta rivers.

5. What is unique about Bhutan's development model? 

Bhutan is the only country that uses gross national happiness (GNH) instead of GDP to measure its development progress.