India and its Neighbours – Physical Environment of India

India shares its borders with five countries namely, in the north with the People’s Republic of China, Nepal, and Bhutan; in the east, with Myanmar (Burma), Bangladesh, and Pakistan; in-the West, with Afghanistan and in the south, with the Indian Ocean.

India is also bounded by two seas known as Arabian Sea to the west and Bay of Bengal to the east. This maritime location of Peninsular India has provided links to its neighbouring regions through the sea and air routes. Sri Lanka and Maldives are the two island countries located in the Indian Ocean, which are our neighbours.

India is a progressing industrialised nation. It has a history of partnership with several countries, is a component of the BRICS and a major part of developing world.

India was one of the founding members of several international organisations, most notably the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank, G-20 major economies and the founder of the Non-Aligned Movement.

India has also played an important and influential role in other international organisations like East Asia Summit, World Trade Organisation, International Monetary Fund (IMF), G8+5 and IBSA Dialogue Forum. Locally, India is a part of SAARC and BIMSTEC.

Foreign policy of India has always regarded the concept of neighbourhood as one of broadening concentric circles, around a central axis of historical and cultural commonalities.

Millions people of Indian origin, live and work abroad and constitute an important link with the mother country. An important role of India’s foreign policy has been to guarantee their welfare and wellbeing within the framework of the laws of the country where they live.

The Ministry of External Affairs is the Indian government’s agency look after the foreign relations of India. The Minister of External Affairs holds cabinet rank as a member of the Council of Ministers.

Sushma Swaraj is current Minister of External Affairs. When reviewing historical approach, India’s international influence varied over the years after independence.

Indian prestige and moral authority were high in the 1950s and enabled the acquisition of developmental assistance from both East and West.

Although the prestige stemmed from India’s nonaligned stance, the nation was incapable to prevent Cold War politics from becoming intertwined with interstate relations in South Asia.