Introduction
India, with its vast geographical diversity, shares land borders with 7 countries: Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Afghanistan (via PoK). These borders are defined by important boundary lines and carry geopolitical, economic, cultural, and strategic significance.
This article explains which Indian states share borders with other countries, the names of border lines, important facts, and 75+ exam-oriented questions with answers. Perfect for UPSC, SSC, Railway, and State PCS exams.
India’s International Borders (Overview Table)
| Country | Border Line / Name | Approx. Border Length (km) | Indian States Sharing Border |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | Radcliffe Line, Line of Control (LoC) | ~3,323 | Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat |
| China (Tibet) | McMahon Line, Line of Actual Control (LAC) | ~3,488 | Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh |
| Nepal | Open Border (1950 Treaty) | ~1,751 | Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim |
| Bhutan | Treaty Boundary | ~699 | Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Sikkim |
| Bangladesh | Radcliffe Line (East) | ~4,096 | West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram |
| Myanmar | Indo–Myanmar Boundary | ~1,643 | Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram |
| Afghanistan | Durand Line (via PoK region) | ~106 | Gilgit-Baltistan (PoK, claimed by India) |
Note: Border lengths are approximate. Some boundaries are disputed (McMahon Line, LAC, LoC).
State-wise details (useful for exams)
Jammu & Kashmir (including Ladakh)
- Borders: Pakistan (LoC/Line of Control / International boundary in the south-west), China (LAC/Aksai Chin), and indirect connection to Afghanistan via PoK.
- Key boundary names: Line of Control (LoC), Line of Actual Control (LAC), Durand Line (historical reference).
- Significance: Strategic high-altitude frontiers, Siachen Glacier, Kargil, and major passes.
Punjab
- Borders: Pakistan
- Key boundary name: Radcliffe Line (1947)
- Landmark: Wagah–Attari border ceremony; fertile plains & Sutlej basin.
Rajasthan
- Borders: Pakistan
- Key features: Thar Desert, border posts (e.g., Longewala) and the international boundary in western India.
Gujarat
- Borders: Pakistan (Sindh)
- Key landmarks: Rann of Kutch, Sir Creek (maritime boundary dispute area).
Himachal Pradesh
- Borders: China (Tibet) — LAC / high Himalayan frontier
- Significance: Mountain passes, strategic border outposts.
Uttarakhand
- Borders: Nepal and China
- Notable features: Lipulekh Pass (pilgrimage & trade route to Kailash-Mansarovar), Himalayan watersheds.
Sikkim
- Borders: Nepal, Bhutan, China (Tibet)
- Key boundary names: McMahon Line (basis of claim in the eastern sector)
- Landmarks: Nathu La, Jelep La passes; sensitive tri-junction areas.
Arunachal Pradesh
- Borders: China (Tibet), Bhutan, Myanmar
- Key line: McMahon Line (disputed by China)
- Important regions: Tawang (strategic and cultural), Brahmaputra headwaters.
West Bengal
- Borders: Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh
- Strategic note: Siliguri Corridor (Chicken’s Neck) connects mainland India to the Northeast.
Bihar
- Borders: Nepal
- Features: Terai plains and historical-cultural ties across the border (Mithila).
Uttar Pradesh
- Borders: Nepal
- Region: Terai and Shivalik foothills in the north.
Assam
- Borders: Bhutan and Bangladesh
- Geography: Brahmaputra valley and major transport routes.
Meghalaya
- Borders: Bangladesh
- Note: Hilly terrain; several entry points and cross-border cultural links.
Tripura
- Borders: Bangladesh (surrounded on three sides by Bangladesh)
- Significance: High cross-border movement and cultural overlap.
Mizoram
- Borders: Bangladesh and Myanmar
- Note: Hilly and forested border region; ethnic linkages across boundaries.
Nagaland
- Borders: Myanmar
- Note: Mountainous frontier with strategic concerns and local cross-border communities.
Manipur
- Borders: Myanmar
- Importance: International trade routes and the Imphal-Moreh corridor.
Exam-ready quick facts
Longest international border: Bangladesh (~4,096 km)
Longest with China: ~3,488 km (approx.)
Open border (treaty): Nepal (1950 Treaty)
State touching most countries: Sikkim (Nepal, Bhutan, China)
Shortest international link (approx.): Afghanistan via PoK (~106 km)
Strategic chokepoint: Siliguri Corridor (West Bengal)
Exam-Oriented 75+ Questions & Answers
- Q: Which was the first state to be divided by Radcliffe Line?
A: Punjab (between India and Pakistan). - Q: Which Indian state shares border with Afghanistan (indirectly)?
A: Jammu & Kashmir (via Gilgit-Baltistan, PoK). - Q: Longest international border of India is with which country?
A: Bangladesh (~4,096 km). - Q: Shortest border of India is with which country?
A: Afghanistan (~106 km, disputed). - Q: Which Indian state touches the maximum number of countries?
A: Sikkim (China, Nepal, Bhutan). - Q: Which corridor is known as the Chicken’s Neck?
A: Siliguri Corridor (West Bengal). - Q: With which country does Mizoram share borders?
A: Bangladesh and Myanmar. - Q: Name the line dividing India and Pakistan in 1947.
A: Radcliffe Line. - Q: Which line separates India and China in the northeast?
A: McMahon Line. - Q: What is the length of the Indo-Myanmar border?
A: ~1,643 km. - Q: How many Indian states share a border with Nepal?
A: 5 (Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim). - Q: Which Indian states share border with Bangladesh?
A: West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram. - Q: Which state has the famous Wagah Border?
A: Punjab. - Q: Which state shares Sir Creek dispute with Pakistan?
A: Gujarat. - Q: What is the Line of Actual Control (LAC)?
A: The effective border between India and China. - Q: Which Indian state shares border with both Bhutan and Bangladesh?
A: Assam. - Q: Name the pass linking India and Tibet via Uttarakhand.
A: Lipulekh Pass. - Q: Which state borders both Pakistan and the Arabian Sea?
A: Gujarat. - Q: Which border is guarded by BSF?
A: Indo-Pak, Indo-Bangladesh, Indo-Myanmar, Indo-Bhutan borders. - Q: Which force guards the India-China border?
A: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). - Q: Which is the easternmost border state of India?
A: Arunachal Pradesh. - Q: Which state shares border with the Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh?
A: West Bengal. - Q: What is the significance of Nathu La Pass?
A: Trade route between Sikkim (India) and Tibet (China). - Q: Which state shares border with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan)?
A: Jammu & Kashmir. - Q: Which state has the “Chicken Neck Corridor”?
A: West Bengal (Siliguri Corridor). - Q: Which state shares border with three countries but is very small?
A: Sikkim. - Q: Which northeastern states share border with Myanmar?
A: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram. - Q: Which Indian state has both international land and maritime borders?
A: Gujarat (Pakistan by land, Arabian Sea by water). - Q: What is the length of Indo-Nepal border?
A: ~1,751 km. - Q: Which state has Dawki border crossing?
A: Meghalaya (with Bangladesh). - Q: Which is India’s westernmost state sharing border with Pakistan?
A: Gujarat. - Q: Which northeastern state is surrounded on three sides by Bangladesh?
A: Tripura. - Q: What is the length of Indo-China border?
A: ~3,488 km. - Q: Which state has the pass “Jelep La”?
A: Sikkim. - Q: Which two states of India share border with Bhutan and China?
A: Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. - Q: Which Indian state shares border with Tibet and Nepal both?
A: Uttarakhand. - Q: Name the corridor connecting India and Myanmar.
A: Moreh–Tamu (Manipur). - Q: Which Indian state shares border with both Nepal and Bhutan?
A: West Bengal. - Q: Which Indian border is called “Line of Control”?
A: India–Pakistan (J&K). - Q: Which border is called “McMahon Line”?
A: India–China (NE sector). - Q: Which border line is called “Durand Line”?
A: Afghanistan–Pakistan (India claims via PoK). - Q: Which Indian state is famous for Siachen Glacier?
A: Ladakh. - Q: Which northeastern state has Indo-Burma (Myanmar) border?
A: Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh. - Q: Which international border is the most porous?
A: Indo-Nepal border. - Q: Which Indian state has Petrapole border crossing?
A: West Bengal (with Bangladesh). - Q: Which country is connected with India through Nathula Pass?
A: China (Tibet). - Q: Which Indian state has Karakoram Pass?
A: Ladakh. - Q: Which force manages Indo–Bangladesh border?
A: Border Security Force (BSF). - Q: Which is India’s southernmost international border?
A: Mizoram–Myanmar border. - Q: Which international boundary is the oldest?
A: Indo-Nepal border (historic ties). - Q: Which Indian state touches both Pakistan and China?
A: Ladakh. - Q: Which state has Kalapani border dispute with Nepal?
A: Uttarakhand. - Q: Which pass connects Himachal Pradesh with Tibet?
A: Shipki La. - Q: Which state shares Zokhawthar border post?
A: Mizoram (with Myanmar). - Q: Which northeastern state has international borders with two countries?
A: Arunachal Pradesh (China, Myanmar, Bhutan). - Q: Which state is known for Dawki–Tamabil border tourism?
A: Meghalaya. - Q: Which international border is known for daily flag ceremony?
A: Wagah Border (Punjab). - Q: Which state shares Pangong Lake with China?
A: Ladakh. - Q: Which pass connects Sikkim to Bhutan?
A: Doka La. - Q: Which is the only Indian state sharing border with Afghanistan?
A: Jammu & Kashmir (via PoK). - Q: Which state has Ghojadanga border post with Bangladesh?
A: West Bengal. - Q: Which Indian border is longest after Bangladesh?
A: China (~3,488 km). - Q: Which Indian state shares border with Tibet Autonomous Region and Bhutan?
A: Arunachal Pradesh. - Q: Which state has border with both Nepal and China?
A: Uttarakhand, Sikkim. - Q: Which Indian state shares border with Rakhine State of Myanmar?
A: Mizoram. - Q: Which Indian pass connects India with Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?
A: Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand). - Q: Which country shares the Siliguri Corridor boundary?
A: Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan (all around WB). - Q: Which northeastern state borders Tibet (China)?
A: Arunachal Pradesh. - Q: Which state shares Phulbari border crossing?
A: Meghalaya. - Q: Which is the smallest state sharing border with China?
A: Sikkim. - Q: Which border is known as “Zero Line”?
A: Indo–Bangladesh border. - Q: Which Indian state shares border with Gilgit-Baltistan region?
A: Jammu & Kashmir (PoK). - Q: Which state has Panitanki–Kakarbhitta border with Nepal?
A: West Bengal. - Q: Which state shares border with Bhutan and Assam?
A: Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal. - Q: Which Indian state shares Moreh border crossing?
A: Manipur (with Myanmar). - Q: Which country shares the Kalapani dispute with India?
A: Nepal. - Q: Which border is disputed at Doklam?
A: India-China-Bhutan tri-junction (near Sikkim). - Q: Which international border is longest in NE India?
A: Indo-Bangladesh border. - Q: Which Indian state is closest to Bay of Bengal and shares border with Myanmar?
A: Mizoram. - Q: Which force guards Indo-Nepal border?
A: Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). - Q: Which force guards Indo-Bhutan border?
A: SSB. - Q: Which Indian state has Nathula border trade route?
A: Sikkim. - Q: Which state has Sutlej River running near the border?
A: Punjab. - Q: Which is the northernmost international border of India?
A: India–China border (Ladakh). - Q: Which Indian state has Tamu border crossing with Myanmar?
A: Manipur. - Q: Which border post is famous for “Friendship Gate”?
A: Indo-Myanmar Moreh border.
Conclusion
India shares borders with seven countries — Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. Knowing the states, border lines, and related facts is essential for competitive exams. This guide, with 75+ questions, will help you in quick revision.
