Space relationship of India with neighboring countries

Introduction

India’s strategic position in South Asia makes it an important player in the geopolitical landscape. The country is not only defined by its vast landmass and extensive coastlines but also by its dynamic relationships with neighbouring countries. This article explores the geographical and political aspects of India’s spatial relationship with its neighbouring countries, focusing on its territorial extent, borders, and interactions with China. The history, disputes, and diplomatic efforts are discussed to provide a comprehensive understanding of India’s relationship with its neighbours.

India’s Geographical Extent

The Mainland of India

• India extends from Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south and from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to Gujarat in the west.
• The country’s territorial limits extend up to 12 nautical miles (about 21.9 km) from the coast, expanding further into the sea.
• The southern boundary extends up to 6°45′ N latitude in the Bay of Bengal.
• India’s latitudinal and longitudinal extent covers about 30 degrees, with the actual distance measured being:
  • 3,214 km from north to south
  • 2,933 km from east to west

Latitude and Longitude

• The northern part of India lies in the sub-tropical zone, while the southern part is in the tropics.
• The longitudinal variation of nearly 30 degrees causes a time difference of about two hours between the easternmost and westernmost parts.
• The 82° 30′ E longitude is used as the Standard Time Meridian, passing through Mirzapur near Prayagraj (Allahabad), providing a uniform time for the entire country.

Area and Population

• India is the seventh largest country in the world, occupying 2.2% of the world’s area. It is 12 times the size of the United Kingdom and nearly one-third the size of Canada.
• Population-wise, India ranks second, with 16% of the world’s population residing here.

India’s Frontiers with Neighbouring Countries

Land Borders

• India shares a land frontier of 15,200 km with its neighbours:
  • West & Northwest: Pakistan
  • Northwest: Afghanistan (shortest border)
  • North: China, Bhutan, and Nepal
  • East: Bangladesh (longest border with India) and Myanmar

Border with China

The Sino-Indian Border

The Sino-Indian border is divided into three sectors:

• Western Sector:
  • This 2,152 km long sector separates Jammu & Kashmir from China’s Xinjiang province.
  • The frontier between Xinjiang and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) is about 480 km long, while the rest lies between Ladakh and Tibet.
  • The boundary was shaped by the British policy towards Jammu & Kashmir, as defined by treaties in 1665 and 1686 (Ladakh-Tibet agreements) and confirmed by the 1842 Dogra-Ladakh agreement involving Kashmir, Tibet, and China.
• Middle Sector:
  • The boundary runs along the watershed from Ladakh to Nepal.
  • It touches Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• Eastern Sector:
  • This 1,140 km long boundary between India and China extends from Bhutan’s eastern limit to a point near Talu-Pass at the tri-junction of India.
  • It is known as the McMahon Line, named after Sir Henry McMahon, who negotiated the boundary agreement at the Shimla Accord in 1913-14.
  • China disputes the validity of the McMahon Line, claiming areas south of this line up to the Brahmaputra Valley.

Disputes and the Line of Actual Control (LAC)

• India and China share a 3,488 km long boundary, which remains disputed.
• In 1957, China occupied Aksai Chin and built a road through it, leading to clashes that culminated in the 1962 border war.
• The boundary established after the war became known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a militarily held line.

Efforts to Resolve Border Disputes

• 1976: India and China began high-level border talks following a thaw in relations.
• 1981-1987: Eight rounds of talks failed to resolve the disputes.
• 1988: After Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to China, the Joint Working Group (JWG) was established.
• 1993: An agreement was signed for maintaining peace along the LAC, and an Expert Group was formed to assist the JWG.
• 1996: The Agreement on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in the Military Field along the LAC was signed.
• 2003: Special representatives were appointed from both countries to seek a political solution.
• 2009: These representatives held 17 rounds of talks, but significant progress remains elusive.

Examples of Aggressive Diplomacy by China

Covid-19 Origin

• China has engaged in aggressive diplomacy with Western countries that have sought transparency on the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has had a devastating impact worldwide.

South China Sea

• The South China Sea (SCS) has emerged as a geopolitical flashpoint due to China’s aggressive maritime expansion:
  • Incidents like the sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat in Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone by a Chinese ship near the Paracel Islands demonstrate China’s assertiveness.
  • China unilaterally refused to accept the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s 2016 ruling on the SCS.

These actions reflect China’s broader hegemonic ambitions, raising concerns about peace and stability in the region.

India-China Relationship (1950-2020)

Key Lessons and Opportunities

The relationship between India and China has evolved through various stages, offering the following insights:

• Strategic Guidance: Adhering to leadership guidance is crucial.
• Cooperative Trends: Recognizing and building on friendly cooperation trends is essential.
• Mutually Beneficial Cooperation: Expanding areas of mutually beneficial collaboration should be a priority.
• International Coordination: Enhancing collaboration in international and regional affairs is vital.
• Managing Differences: Properly addressing differences can lead to more stable relations.

The two countries are at a new starting point, where drawing from their rich civilizations can help them cooperate, manage differences, and achieve common development.

The India-Nepal Boundary

Introduction

India shares extensive boundaries with several countries, forming significant relationships that have geographical, cultural, and strategic implications. In recent years, India’s relationships with its neighbouring countries have gone through various challenges and phases of cooperation. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of India’s boundary relationships with Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. The historical context, disputes, and strategic importance of these relationships will be examined to provide a clear understanding of India’s interactions with its neighbours.

The India-Nepal Boundary

Relationship Between India and Nepal

• India and Nepal are connected geographically, religiously, historically, economically, and financially.
• The relationship between the two countries has recently faced challenges, and tensions have arisen.

Significance of Nepal for India

• India and Nepal share a long boundary with five Indian states: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Bihar.
• Both countries share a deep cultural heritage, with Buddhist sites spread across both nations. This strong social and religious connection means that the movement of people remains a core aspect of their relationship.
• Nepal is strategically important for India’s safety and security, acting as a buffer state between India and China, much like Bhutan.
• Several rivers originating in Nepal flow into India, making Nepal crucial for India’s energy security and cooperation.

Recent Controversy

• The construction of a new 80 km-long road in the Himalayas, connecting the border with China at the Lipulekh pass, has sparked tensions.
• Chinese Factor: There are possibilities that China has influenced Nepal to adopt a bolder stance against India’s moves.

Kalapani Dispute

• Location: Kalapani is administered by India as part of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district and is located on the Kailash Mansarovar route.
• Claims: India claims Kalapani as part of Uttarakhand, while Nepal considers it part of its westernmost territory. The Kali River demarcates the border between the two countries.
• Treaty of Sugauli (1816): This treaty identified the Kali River as Nepal’s western boundary with India, but discrepancies in locating the river’s source have led to boundary disputes, with both countries presenting maps supporting their claims.

Susta Dispute

• The Susta area, located on the bank of the Gandak River (called Narayani River in Nepal), is another disputed territory between India (Uttar Pradesh) and Nepal.
• The river’s changing course is the primary cause of disputes in the Susta area.

The India-Bhutan Boundary

Diplomatic Relations

• India and Bhutan established diplomatic relations in 1968.
• The Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949, later revised in 2007, forms the foundation of their bilateral relationship.

Bhutan’s Significance to India

• Geographical: After the Doklam standoff, securing Bhutan’s present borders, particularly its western border, is vital for safeguarding India’s Siliguri Corridor.
• Political: An unstable Bhutan would jeopardize India’s investments and provide a safe haven for anti-India activities.
• Economic: Bhutan serves as a market for Indian commodities and is a destination for Indian investments.
• Trade: Governed by the India-Bhutan Trade and Transit Agreement (1972), a free-trade regime exists between the two countries, allowing duty-free transit of Bhutanese exports to third countries.
• Infrastructure: India contributes to Bhutan’s infrastructure development, especially in building roads and hydropower projects.

The Indo-Pakistan Boundary

Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir & Gilgit-Baltistan

• Pakistan occupies approximately 78,000 sq. km of Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Additionally, Pakistan ceded 5,180 sq. km of territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to China under the Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963.

Siachen Glacier and Saltoro Ridge

• The Siachen Glacier, located in the eastern Karakorams, is entirely under India’s administration since 1984 (Operation Meghdoot).
• The Saltoro Ridge, a subrange of the Karakoram, is claimed by India as part of Jammu and Kashmir and by Pakistan as part of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Sir Creek Dispute

• Sir Creek is a 96 km long strip of water disputed between India and Pakistan in the Rann of Kutch marshlands.
• Pakistan claims the line follows the eastern shore, while India claims a centerline. This dispute is rooted in differing interpretations of a 1914 resolution.

India-Pakistan Relations

• Relations between the two nations have been tumultuous, especially after the Uri and Pulwama attacks, which marked a turning point. Talks have stalled in recent years.
• Role of China: China supports Pakistan to maintain pressure on India and leverage its boundary disputes.

US-Taliban Peace Deal Impact

• India supports an “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled” peace process but remains cautious about Pakistan’s involvement in Afghanistan.

The India-Bangladesh Border

Historical Ties

• India recognized Bangladesh as an independent state in 1971, establishing strong civilizational, cultural, social, and economic links.

Bilateral Mechanisms

• A Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) oversees and coordinates initiatives between the two countries.
• Security and border management are enhanced through the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) signed in 2011.

River Water Sharing

• A Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) has functioned since 1972 to manage shared river systems.

Economic Assistance and Cooperation

• India has provided a US$ 2 billion Line of Credit (LOC) to Bangladesh and actively participates in the power and energy sector through projects like the Maitree thermal power plant.

India-Myanmar Boundary

Significance of India-Myanmar Relations

• Myanmar shares a 1,643 km long land boundary with India and acts as a gateway to Southeast Asia.
• India is building connectivity projects such as the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project to link Kolkata with India’s Northeast via Myanmar.

Defence and Cultural Cooperation

• India-Myanmar Bilateral Army Exercise (IMBAX) aims to strengthen military ties, while shared Buddhist heritage enhances cultural ties.

Rohingya Issue

• India condemned terrorist attacks in Myanmar’s Rakhine State but has not engaged directly in the Rohingya crisis.

India-Sri Lanka Boundary

Maritime Boundary

• The Palk Strait separates the two countries by 30 km.
• The issue of the Kachchatheevu Island in the Palk Strait remains a point of tension but was resolved in 1974 when India ceded the island to Sri Lanka.

Conclusion

India’s relationships with its neighbouring countries are multifaceted, involving geographical, historical, cultural, economic, and strategic elements. While India has forged strong ties with some neighbours like Bhutan and Bangladesh, its relationships with others, such as Pakistan and Nepal, have seen disputes and challenges. Despite these challenges, India continues to work on maintaining peace and stability through diplomatic channels, trade, and cooperation.

1. Discuss the significance of the McMahon Line and the Line of Actual Control in defining the India-China boundary and the implications of these demarcations on bilateral relations. (250 words)
2. Discuss the significance of Nepal as a buffer state between India and China, and how recent controversies have affected India-Nepal relations. (250 words)
3. Evaluate the impact of the Kalapani and Susta disputes on India-Nepal relations and how these disputes reflect the complexities of border management in South Asia. (250 words)