In this content we shall study about India and it's neighbours. Neighbours have been on its top priority of India since Independence. And in this content we will see how India share its culture with its neighbours and help them in time of emergency. Either look East Policy or expanding its businesses with the West, India is on the path of transforming from dependent to self-reliant.
Indian subcontinent is sprawled over 3.28 million kilometre and it accounts for 2.4 % of the whole area of the world and 7th largest country in the world in terms of area. India which got Independent on 15th August 1947 from the British government. Near the same time many countries got independent from the British government.
India has its land boundary around 15,200 km and it has coastal length about 7,516 included Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep. India shares its land boundary with Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan and Afghanistan. Here in this content we shall know the countries with which India shares its boundaries.
India and China
The relation between India and China has been very old since ancient time. The silk route of China is one of the best example where trade occurred. Indian goods like black pepper, cotton, spices and clothes were in high demand in West Asia and Europe. The silk route felicitated the movements of goods. The silk route was also helpful in dissemination of Buddhism, Jainism, Hindu religious texts like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panchtantra, etc to the rest of the world via silk routes. The Silk route was lasted for 15th century.
The Communist Revolution broke out in 1949 and China became independent. Since its Independence, India had been supporting them with all means. India recognised the new government and backed the membership of China in the United Nation Security Council, UNSC.
The next level of bilateral ties is seen in 1954 when the Panch Sheel Agreement was signed between Pd. Nehru and Chinese premier Zhou Enlai. The five principles of the Panch Sheel are:
- Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity.
- Mutual non-aggression.
- Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
- Equality and mutual benefits.
- Peaceful co-existence.
India and Bhutan.
India shares 699 km border with Bhutan. It is situated in North-Eastern part of India and have a very cordial relation since ages. In August 1949, a Friendship Treaty was signed for the establishment of peace between the two nations and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. A diplomatic relation was established in 1968, therefore relations reached at a new heights. Since Bhutan also share border with China, and the later has been bullying type of nature over its neighbours, Bhutan with time-tested friend supported India whenever it is required and it could be possible by sustained and maintaining regular dialogues between the two nations.
Hydro Power is one of the best examples of win-win cooperation. India still has been providing economic assistance to Bhutan since its first five year plan from 1960-1965. For example India has given 4500 crore to Bhutan for its 12th Five Year Plan. The key areas of the Government of India's assistance include agriculture, irrigation development, civil aviation, science and tech, urban development, energy, capacity building and human resources.
In 2018 the bilateral trade of 9,228 between the two nations. India is one of most favoured destination for the Bhutanese students where students are given quota.
India and Nepal
Nepal is a Himalayan country due its position on geography. It is land-locked it means it does not share any Oceanic body and situated in the North of India. The relation between India and Nepal has been culturally intertwined since ancient times. Mutual cooperation with Nepal is always on the top priority of India.
The Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship signed in 1950. The uniqueness of this treaty can be gauged that there is free movement of people and goods in each other countries without any impediments. This treaty allows both defence and foreign cooperation between the two nations.
India always provided financial and technical aid to Nepal and help them in the making of infrastructure like bridges, roads, highways, and pipelines in most recently was set up to facilitate the movement of goods. In 1990, the Prime Minister of both the countries met at New Delhi and re-established their special security relationship. In 1991, both countries signed trade and transit treaties and economic agreements to boost the economy of Nepal.
Indian Army provides all kinds of help to Nepal like training and modernising their military with modern equipment. India also hold military exercise like Surya-Kiran annually to strengthen the military capability of Nepal. Till now around 32,000 Nepalese soldiers are giving their services in the Gorkha regiment of Indian Army.
An 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal in April-May 2015, in response India sent its National Disaster Force, Army, Air Force to rescue the stranded people and supply foods, blankets and other essentials to Nepal. Apart of it, India also announced Post-earthquake re-construction package of $1 billion ( $250 million financial aid and $750 million concession line of credit). In 2016 an agreement was held to construct 50,000 private houses with an expenditure of $250 billions. The total economic assistance earmarked under 'Aid to Nepal' budget in financial year 2019-20 was INR 120 crore, aims to spend on various infrastructural schemes.
In 2008, democracy was restored in Nepal. Nepal asked for India's assistance in the forming of a new constitution. Water talks between two nations were also resumed and expansion of tourism was also held talked.
India and Myanmar.
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, was also under British rule and became independent on 4th January 1948. India was one of the leading supporters of Burmese independence and has established a cordial relationships with the country. The relations are deep rooted in shared historical, cultural, ethical, and religious ties. The relations have stood the test of time. Myanmar is a Buddhist majority country opens door of tourism with India.
India shares 1600 km land boundary with Myanmar. It connects with Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. The Treaty of Friendship in 1951 and visiting of former Prime of India Rajiv Gandhi in 1987 further strengthened relations between the two countries.
Following the catastrophic cyclone Nargis which hit Myanmar in 2008, India responded with immediate relief and materials to make Myanmar overcome the situation and provided $1 million humanitarian relief and rehabilitation.
The Government of India is actively involved in dozen projects in Myanmar in both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects include agriculture, IT, telecommunications, natural gas, steel, oil and hydrocarbons. In 2001, a 160 km highway called the Indo-Myanmar Friendship Road was inaugurated. This road is being built by Border Road Organisation. BRO is the government of India company established in 1960. Unlike NHAI, BRO build and keep maintenance of border roads and infrastructure.
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India and Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island country which got independent in 1948. The relations between India and Sri Lanka are deep rooted in shared historical, cultural, and political and religious ties. The relations have stood the test of time. We have had a long and shared history and religion with Sri Lanka is separated by Palk strait.
In recent years the progress of implementation of development projects for internally displaced persons and disadvantaged people in Sri Lanka has helped further cement the bond of friendships between the two countries.
In the three decades long armed conflicts between Sri Lankan forces and LTTE was came to an end in May 2009. During the course of time the Sri Lankan government right was supported by India but India has also conveyed that the right Tamil Indians should not be hampered, demanding give free space to Tamils to raise their voice and stand for their rights.
Political relations between the two countries have been marked by high level exchanges of visit at regular intervals. A bilateral Free Trade Agreement, FTA was signed between the two countries in 2000. Both countries also signed the SAFTA. India's public sector company NTPC is supposed to build a 500 MW thermal power plant at Sampur in Sri Lanka.
A number of new investments of Indian companies are in the pipeline or under implementation. The important projects are setting up Shree Renuka Sugar refining plant at Habantota, South City, Kolkata for real estate development in Colombo, etc.
The two countries also hold military exercise Mitra -Shakti to enhance their military capabilities.
India and Bangladesh.
Bangladesh got independent in 1971 was originally part of eastern Pakistan.Bangladesh liberation movement was carried out by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman got support from India. India soon established its diplomatic relationship with Bangladesh in 1971. The relations are deep rooted in shared historical, cultural and religious ties. The relations have always stood the test of time.
India shares 4096 km border with Bangladesh lies in the east of India. India has constantly helped in situation of floods, famines and droughts. It has also provided financial aid to Bangladesh of the newly independent country.
An exercise SAMPRITI is held every year to provide military training and making modernising of Bangladeshi soldiers.
India and Pakistan.
On 14th of August 1947, Pakistan was separated from India. India shares 3310 km boundary with Pakistan. The relations with Pakistan became bitter since Jammu and Kashmir become the part of India through an instrument of annexation. Kashmir has remained a subject of dispute between the two countries.
India has fought three major war with Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, the recent being the Kargil war of 1999. India has always followed a policy of mutual and friendly dialogues between the two nations to solve their issues. The Agra Summit in 2001 and the Simla Agreement of 1972 was signed between the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutt.. It was agreed that both countries would settle their disputes by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations.
The Lahore Agreement between the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of India and Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan also aimed at ending all disputes. Although both countries have made several promises to end wars, Pakistan resorts terrorism to defeat India and is considered the safe heaven to groom terrorism.
In 2003, the Ceasefire Agreement , the Delhi -Lahore Bus service and Lahore and Amritsar train route of Samjhauta Express are some of the measures undertaken by both the countries to maintain harmonious relations.
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