Borders of India

India and its borders.

The Republic of India shares borders with several sovereign countries; it shares land borders with China, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.[1] Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan share both land borders as well as maritime borders, while Sri Lanka shares only a maritime border through Ram Setu. India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia.

Borders

Land

Barriers

See also: Great Green Wall (India) and Great Hedge of India

India has constructed fences along the following borders:[2]

Borders

See also: Disputed territories of India, Indian subcontinent, Greater India, and Indosphere

India shares land borders with six sovereign nations. The state's Ministry of Home Affairs also recognizes a 106 kilometres (66 mi) land border with a seventh nation, Afghanistan, as part of its claim on the Kashmir region; however, this is disputed and the region bordering Afghanistan has been administered by Pakistan as part of Gilgit-Baltistan since 1947 (see Durand Line).[3]

Land Border Country Dispute Length (Km) and (mi) Force Comments
Bangladesh N 4,096 kilometres (2,545 mi) Border Security Force Most of the India–Bangladesh enclaves exchanged in 2015. See Bangladesh Liberation War and Bangladesh–India relations.
Bhutan N 578 kilometres (359 mi)[4] Sashastra Seema Bal Open border. See Bhutan–India relations.
China Y 3,488 kilometres (2,167 mi) Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Special Frontier Force Also see Ardagh–Johnson Line, Macartney–MacDonald Line, McMahon Line, Sino-Indian border dispute and China–India relations.
Myanmar N 1,643 kilometres (1,021 mi) Assam Rifles and Indian Army See India-Myanmar relations.
Nepal Y 1,752 kilometres (1,089 mi)[5] Sashastra Seema Bal Open border. See Kalapani territory, Susta territory and India-Nepal relations.
Pakistan Y 3,320 kilometres (2,060 mi) Border Security Force Also see Radcliffe Line, Line of Control, Actual Ground Position Line and Sir Creek. See Partition of India, Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts, Transport between India and Pakistan and India-Pakistan relations.
Afghanistan[6] Y 106 kilometres (66 mi) Border Security Force Part I of the Constitution of India defines India as having a land border with 7 countries, including with Afghanistan. India claims a border between the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan and Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-administered Kashmir as part of their claim to sovereignty of the whole Kashmir region.[6][7][8][9] See Afghanistan–Pakistan border dispute, India-Afghanistan land border and Durand Line.

Border ceremonies

India co-hosts the joint ceremonies with the neighbouring nations at the following border crossings. The most attended and emotionally charged among these is the one at Wagha-Attari Border near Amritsar-Lahore.

Border Ceremony Locations Notes
India-Pakistan border
(listed north to south) 		Attari–Wagah border ceremony near Amritsar in Punjab.[10][11] Joint daily India-Pak ceremony, most attended and emotionally charged ceremony.
Ganda Singh Wala–Hussainiwala border ceremony near Firozepur in Punjab.[10][11] Joint daily India-Pak ceremony with cafes. Indian side has tourist facilities, shops, Hussainiwala National Martyrs Memorial and museum of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru at the site of their cremation by British raj.
Sadqi-Sulemanki border ceremony near Fazilka in Punjab.[12][13][14] Joint daily India-Pak ceremony with cafe on Indian side.
Hindumalkote in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan One-sided daily display by India's BSF with cafe, reachable by road or rail 18 km from Sri Ganganagar to Hindumalkote railway station though historic India-Pakistan railway link is now defunct.[15]
Khajuwala Satpal Border Outpost (BOP) in Bikaner district of Rajasthan One-sided daily display by India's BSF with a Beating Retreat ceremony, tourist gallery, and cafe.[15]
Sanchu Post in Bikaner district of Rajasthan One-sided occasional display by India's BSF with cafe and museum on Indian side surrounded by tall sand dunes, 38 km west of Ranjeetpura and 175 km west of Bikaner.[15]
Tanot/Longewala in Jaisalmer district in Rajasthan One-sided occasional display by India's BSF with cafe and War Museum on Indian side which also shows the famous open-air battlefield with captured 1971 Pakistani tanks.[15]
Khokhrapar–Munabao border ceremony in Barmer district of Rajasthan.[10][11] Joint daily India-Pak ceremony.[15]
Nadabet of Vav-Tharad district in Gujarat One-Sided Tue-Sun (closed Monday) display by India's BSF with a major tourist complex on India side which also has museum and cafe.[15]
India-China border
(listed west to east) 		Daulat Beg Oldi Border Personnel Meeting Point (BPM Point)
Spanggur Gap (Chushul) Border Personnel Meeting point, tourists on Indian side need Inner Line Permit (ILP).
Nathu La Used for pilgrims to monasteries in Sikkim; reduces journey time to Lake Manasarovar.[16] Tourists to Nathu La on Indian side need ILP.
Bum La Pass (Tawang) Open on Sundays and during cultural ceremonies, tourists La on Indian side need ILP.
Kaho (north of Kibithu in Walong sector) Border Personnel Meeting point, tourists on Indian side need ILP.
India-Bangladesh border
(listed clockwise from southwest) 		Benapole–Petrapole border ceremony in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal Joint daily ceremony by BSF (Border Security Force) and BGB (Border Guards Bangladesh).[17][18] 60-70 km northeast of Barasat and Kolkata.
Phulbari-Banglabandha in Darjeeling district of West Bengal Joint daily ceremony 11 km south of Siliguri.
Changrabandha-Burimari in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal Joint daily ceremony, 80 km southeast of SIlliguri and 70 km east of Cooch Bihar.
Agartala-Akhaura in Tripura Joint daily ceremony, its the second-largest site on India-Bangladesh border 4km west of Agartala city.

Maritime borders and EEZs

EEZs in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans

Maritime borders of India are the maritime boundary recognized by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea entails boundaries of territorial waters, contiguous zones, and exclusive economic zones. India, with its claim of a 12-nautical-mile (22 km; 14 mi) territorial maritime zone and 200-nautical-mile (370 km; 230 mi) exclusive economic zone, has a more than 7,000-kilometre (4,300 mi) maritime border shared with seven nations.

Maritime Border Country Length (km) and (mi) Force Comments
Bangladesh Indian Navy New Moore Island in Bay of Bengal
Indonesia 555 kilometres (345 mi) Indian Navy Indira Point in Andaman Sea
Myanmar Indian Navy Landfall Island in Andaman Sea
Pakistan Indian Navy Sir Creek in Arabian Sea
Thailand Indian Navy Similan Islands in Andaman Sea
Sri Lanka >400 kilometres (250 mi)[19] Indian Navy Katchatheevu in Palk Strait
Maldives 1,009 kilometres (627 mi) Indian Navy Maliku Kandu in Laccadive Sea

Designated border crossings

The map of ICP and LCS.

Integrated Check Posts (ICP)

See also: Transport between India and Pakistan and Transport between India and Bangladesh

India has 7 functional ICPs, and plans are underway to upgrade 13 more LCS to ICP, including 7 at borders taking total of border ICP to 14, at the cost of ₹3,005 crore (US$320 million)(56 Australian Dollars as of May 2025)(c. June 2024 ).[20][21] Designated Integrated Check Posts (ICP), with both customs and immigration facilities are:[22]

Border State Check Post Status Notes References
India–Bangladesh Assam Sutarkandi Planned Connects to Golapganj uppozilla in Sylhet District [20]
Meghalaya Dawki ICP Operational since 2018 Connects to Tambil post (Bangladesh) [23]
Mizoram Kawrpuichhuah (near Tlabung) Operational since Oct 2017 On Khawthalangtuipui river (Karnaphuli) [20][24][25]
Tripura Agartala–Akhaura Operational (c. 2017) Connects to Dhaka [21]
Belonia–Parshuram Road and rail crossing
West Bengal Petrapole Operational (c. 2017) Connects Kolkata to Dhaka [21]
Ghojadanga Planned [20][26]
Mahadipur In-principle approval (2019) Connects to Rajshahi [26][20]
Fulbari Planned [20]
Hili Planned [20]
India–Bhutan West Bengal Jaigaon Plan approved (c. 2016) In Alipurduar district [27]
India–Myanmar Manipur Moreh ICP Operational [28]
Mizoram Zochawchhuah–Zorinpui Operational since Oct 2017 On Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project [28][25]
India–Nepal Uttarakhand Banbasa In-principle approval (2019) In Champawat district [26]
Bihar Bhitthamore In-principle approval (2019) In Sitamarhi district [26][29]
Bihar Jogbani [27]
West Bengal Panitanki In-principle approval (2019) In Darjeeling district [27][26]
Bihar ICP Raxaul [27]
Uttar Pradesh Sonauli
Uttar Pradesh Rupaidiha [27]
Uttar Pradesh Taulihawa-Siddharthnagar [27]
India–Pakistan Punjab Attari Operational (2017) At Wagah (see Samjhauta Express)
Punjab Kartarpur Corridor Visa-free access to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib
Rajasthan Munabao (see Thar Express)

Land Customs Stations (LCS)

Border State Land Customs Station Connecting To (Bangladesh) Status Notes References
India–Bangladesh Assam Mankachar Rowmari post (Natun Bandar, Rangpur division) Functional [30]
Karimganj Steamer and Ferry Station (KSFS) Zakiganj post (Sylhet division) Functional [30]
Guwahati Steamer Ghat (Dhubri district) Functional [30]
Dhubri Steamer Ghat Rowmati (Maymansingh division) Functional [30]
Mahisasan railway station Shahbazpur (Sylhet division) Non-functional [30]
Golokganj Sonahaat (Rangpur Division) Non-functional [30]
Silchar Railway Mail Service Non-functional Inland LCS (no border crossing) [30]
India–Bangladesh Meghalaya Baghmara (South Garo Hills) Bijoyour post Functional [30]
Bholaganj Chatak (Sunamganj division) Functional [30]
Borsara (West Khasi Hills) Borsara post Functional [30]
Mahendraganj Bakshiganj Functional On NH12 [30]
Dalu Nakugaon post Functional On NH217 [30]
Shellabazar Sunamganj (Sylhet division) Functional [30]
Gasuapara Karoitol (Mymansing division) Functional [30]
Ryngku (East Khasi Hills) Kalibari (Sonamganj division) Non-functional [30]
Balat (East Khasi Hills) Dolura (Sylhet division) Non-functional [30]
India–Bangladesh Tripura Srimantapur Bibir Bazar (Comilla division) Operational Became operational January 2016 [31]
Dhalaighat Kumarghat (Sunamganj division) Functional [30]
Khowaighat Balla (Habiganj division) Functional [30]
Manu Chatlapur (Sylhet division) Functional [30]
Muhurighat Belonia (Feni division) Functional [30]
Old Ragnabazar Betul (Fultali) (Sylhet division) Functional [30]
India–Bangladesh Mizoram Kawarpuchiah Operational Opened October 2017 by PM Modi [32]
Demagiri Rangamati (Sylhet division) Non-functional [30]
India–Pakistan Rajasthan Longewala In Jaisalmer district

Border markets

This is incomplete list of designated border markets, also called bazaars and haats, established by the efforts of Ministry of External Affairs.[22]

India–Bangladesh

India–Bangladesh Border Haats
State District Location Reference
Meghalaya East Khasi Hills district Balat [33]
Bholaganj [33]
South West Garo Hills district Kalaichar [33]
Ryngku [33]
West Garo Hills district Nalikata [33]
Shibbari [33]
Mizoram Mamit district Mapara - Longkor
Tuipuibari - Not provided
Lunglei district Silsury - Mahmuam
Nunsuri - Not provided
Tripura West Tripura district Kamalasagar
Boxanagar
Bamutia
South Tripura district Srinagar, Tripura
Ekimpur
North Tripura district Pal Basti (Raghna)
Hiracherra (Kailasahar)
Kamalpur, Tripura (Dhalai)

India–Bhutan

India-Bhutan Border Haat on India-Bhutan border are in operation, such as the Gelephu-Hatisar border market road entry point,[34] Phuntsholing to its west and Samdrup Jongkhar to its east are two other border market road entry points into Bhutan.

India–Myanmar

India–Myanmar border Haats are.[35][36]

India–Myanmar Border Haats
State District Indian Location Myanmar Location Reference
Arunachal Pradesh Changlang district Pangsau Pass (Nampong) Pangsau, Kachin State [35][36]
Chingsa (Khimiyang Circle) Langhong, Kachin State [35][36]
Makantong (Khimiyang Circle) Ngaimong, Kachin State [35][36]
Tirap district Wakka/Pongchao/Lazu Tirap, Kachin State [35][36]
Manipur Ukhrul district Kongkan Thana Aungci (suggested by State Government) [35][36]
Chandel district New Somtal Thenjen, or Khampat [35][36]
Churachandpur district Behiang Khenman, or Chikha [35][36]
Mizoram Lawngtlai district Hruitezawl Varang [35][36]
Champhai district Hnahlan Darkhai [35][36]
Vaphai Leilet [35][36]
Siaha district Chakhang Nviaphia [35][36]
Nagaland Tuensang district Avakhung Layshi (32 km apart) [35][36]
Pangsha Lahe/Hkamti District HQ (60 km apart) [35][36]
Mon district Chemoho/Longwa Lahe (60 km apart) [35][36]
Phek district Molhe Pansat (10 km apart) [35][36]

Pradeep Damodaran's book Borderlands: Travels Across India's Boundaries chronicles all land borders of India.[37] The Bollywood director J. P. Dutta has specialised in making Hindi movies with India's border as a key element of the theme, his movies are Border, Refugee, LOC: Kargil, Paltan, etc.[38]

  • Bhutan Gate between Jaigaon and Phuntsholing.
    Bhutan Gate between Jaigaon and Phuntsholing.
  • India-Myanmar Rikhawdar-Zokhawthar border crossing across the Tyao River.
    India-Myanmar Rikhawdar-Zokhawthar border crossing across the Tyao River.
  • India-Pakistan Border ceremony at Attari–Wagah border.
    India-Pakistan Border ceremony at Attari–Wagah border.
  • India-Tibet Nathu La border in Sikkim.
    India-Tibet Nathu La border in Sikkim.
  • Indian and Bangladeshi soldiers at Benapole–Petrapole border ceremony.
    Indian and Bangladeshi soldiers at Benapole–Petrapole border ceremony.
  • India-Nepal border - signage board at Bhitthamore gateway.
    India-Nepal border - signage board at Bhitthamore gateway.

See also

India related
Lists
  • List of countries and territories by land borders
  • List of countries and territories by land and maritime borders
  • List of countries and territories by maritime boundaries
  • List of countries that border only one other country
  • List of land borders by date of establishment
  • List of divided islands
  • List of island nations
  • List of political and geographic borders

References

  1. ^ "Neighbouring Countries of India 2020: Map, Capitals, Connected States". www.careerpower.in.
  2. ^ 1643 km Indo-Myanmar border to be fenced, a patrol track to be built: Amit Shah, Hindustan Times, 6 Feb 2024.
  3. ^ "India Department of Border Management Intro" (PDF).
  4. ^ SSB to strengthen presence on India-Bhutan border, Times of India, 20 Dec 2017.
  5. ^ "doklam: SSB to strengthen presence on India-Bhutan border | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. 20 December 2017.
  6. ^ a b Wakhan Corridor — India’s forgotten 106-km border with Afghanistan is back in play, ThePrint, 21 Oct 2025.
  7. ^ Yahuda, Michael (2 June 2002). "China and the Kashmir crisis". BBC. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  8. ^ Chang, I-wei Jennifer (9 February 2017). "China's Kashmir Policies and Crisis Management in South Asia". United States Institute of Peace. Archived from the original on 10 March 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  9. ^ "Kashmir: Why India and Pakistan fight over it". BBC News. 2010-07-07. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
  10. ^ a b c 5 crossing points in India: All you need to know, India Today, 10 OCt 2016.
  11. ^ a b c Beating Retreat Wagah India, CHanging Guards, accessed 8 July 2021.
  12. ^ Sadqi retreat ceremony, nic.in, accessed 8 July 2021.
  13. ^ Second Wagah: India, Pak agree to new ceremony, beating retreat on Punjab border, Hindustan Times, 201 April 2017.
  14. ^ At Sadiqi border, strained Indo-Pak ties dampen spirits, The Tribune, 17 April 2019.
  15. ^ a b c d e f A Border Tourism Destination in Rajasthan, Government of Rajasthan, 5 Oct 2021.
  16. ^ Vinayak, G (28 July 2004). "Nathu La: closed for review". The Rediff Special. Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  17. ^ "Retreat Ceremony at Indo–Bangladesh Border". PIB. Press Information Bureau. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  18. ^ Kumar, Satish (14 July 2015). India's National Security: Annual Review 2014. Routledge India. p. 512. ISBN 978-1138927438.
  19. ^ "Fishing rights disputes between India and Sri Lanka". Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g [1], Indian Express, Oct 2017.
  21. ^ a b c "India plans to construct 7 integrated check posts on the border with Bangladesh". Dhaka Tribune. October 18, 2017.
  22. ^ a b "Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, North East India". mdoner.gov.in.
  23. ^ Dawki ICP foundation stone laid.
  24. ^ [2]
  25. ^ a b "12th Five Year Plan". Archived from the original on 2013-06-19. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  26. ^ a b c d e Delhi approves Sutarkandi integrated check post along Indo-Bangla border, North East News, 7 Jan 2019.
  27. ^ a b c d e f Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border to have more ICP, Oct 2016.
  28. ^ a b India opens two border crossing points with Myanmar, Bangladesh, Times of India, 1 Oct 2017.
  29. ^ "सीतामढ़ी के भिठ्ठामोड़ में भारत-नेपाल सीमा के नो-मेंस लैंड पर बनेगा इंटीग्रेटेड चेकपोस्ट".
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v ICP and LCS
  31. ^ "Tripura opens new land customs station along Bangladesh border". bdnews24.com.
  32. ^ "India opens two border crossing points with Myanmar, Bangladesh". @businessline. October 2017.
  33. ^ a b c d e f Meghalaya border haats, megindustry.gov.in, accessed 28 Aug 2021.
  34. ^ An Ethnographic Insight on Border-Markets: Reflections from the Indo-Bhutan Border, sadf.eu, accessed 23 October 2024.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Closer economic ties with neighbours vital, The Hindu, 7 May 2019.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Border haats of India
  37. ^ What will you see if you visit the precise point where India ends and Sri Lanka begins?, Scroll.in, 1 March 2017.
  38. ^ Adrian M. Athique, 2010, A Line in the Sand: The India–Pakistan Border in the Films of J.P. Dutta, Centre for Critical and Cultural Studies, University of Queensland, Pages 472-499.

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