Our Neighbours

By – Supriya

India is situated in South Asia, which comprises majority of the Indian sub-continent . India has a coastline which stretches over 7000 km and shares its borders with Pakistan to the west ; the People ‘ s Republic of China and Nepal to the north; Bhutan to the north – east and Bangladesh and Myanmar ( formerly Burma) on the east. On the Indian Ocean , India is adjacent to the island nations of the Maldives on the south – west , Sri Lanka on the south, and Indonesia on the south – east . India also claims a border with Afghanistan to the north – west. The official name of the country, India , is derived from the river Indus ( known as Sindhu in ancient times) . As a growing power, India depends extensively on her relationship with the countries in and around her neighbourhood . Maintenance of peace and security within and outside its immediate borders at a satisfactory level is a pre-requisite to create the conditions necessary for one billion citizens of the country to help them enjoy the fruits of economic growth and social development. The first four decades after independence were truly difficult years. As a new nation emerging from the throngs of two centuries of colonialism , which had sapped the country ‘ s progress , the impact of centrifugal and unstable forces in the country and its neighbourhood, made the task of economic and social development a steep and arduous journey. External and internal conflicts during this period added to the burden of our nascent emerging economy designed to fulfil the aspirations of the new found freedom of our people . Despite this truly difficult situation , the country grew in slow measure and we largely avoided large – scale crisis. However, our growth was stunted in this period and this no doubt contributed to large swathes of our population remaining under grinding poverty . At the end of the Cold War period ,the country achieved moderate results in its efforts to promote education , health care and empowerment of women, and growth of all sectors of the economy , but it was clear that the country has many more miles to go. India’ s improved relation with all the major powers of the world has contributed to its relaxed attitude and ability to deal with its neighbourhood in a rational and responsible manner. Once, the rest of the world acknowledged India’s stand that it could solve its problems peacefully and bilaterally with its neighbours without outside interference , the strategic situation in the region changed for the better. Even the fear that India ‘s nuclear tests in 1998, followed by Pakistan ‘s immediate reaction, would lead the region into a nuclear quagmire , has subsided considerably on the understanding that India is a responsible nuclear power, not given to adventurism or proliferation activities. The international community now realises that India can and will do all it can to maintain and strengthen peace and security in the region. Within the sub – continent , India ‘s national security interests are closely linked to her immediate neighbours- Bangladesh , Bhutan , China, Maldives, Myanmar , Nepal , Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Her relations with Nepal , Bhutan , Bangladesh , Sri Lanka and Maldives are stable and based on friendship and understanding.
India ‘ s largest neighbour , China is working towards the goal of achieving superpower status in the new millennium. Today, China occupies approximately 38,000 sq km of India’ s territory . In addition , under the so called Sino – Pak boundary agreement , Pakistan has illegally ceded 5,180 sq km of India’ s territory to China in POK. China also claims approximately 90000 sq km in Arunachal Pradesh. It is rapidly modernizing its armed forces. According to a recent report by the Washington Post , ” China is quickly modernizing its military and has set its sights on extending its influence deep into the Pacific and Indian Oceans now that the military balance with its longtime nemesis, Taiwan , is tilting in its favor.” Today, China has the most active land – based ballistic and cruise missile program in the world. Beijing now possesses one of the largest forces of surface – to – air missiles in the world, and it has the largest force of principal combatants , submarines , and amphibious warfare ships in Asia. Also ,a recent revolution by WikiLeaks warned that, ” As China ‘ s international presence and nationalist sentiment grow, commensurate with greater political , economic and military might , Chinese analysts anticipate a more assertive Chinese foreign policy.” The asymmetry in terms of nuclear forces is strongly in favour of China which alarmingly , has helped Pakistan to build missile and nuclear capability . China is a declared nuclear power with a wide range of military capabilities. India and China have an unresolved boundary . Although the border areas have remained largely peaceful , from time to time, on account of differences of perception of the Line of Actual Control ( LAC) , tough situations have arisen on the ground that could have been avoided , had the LAC clarification been completed . The two sides have reiterated their commitment to adhere to the provision of the 1993 and 1996 Agreements. Over the sixty years since Independence, India has been able to maintain a high level of harmony , social order and security within its borders. Arising out of the redrawing of borders, the uprooting of whole communities on religious and ethnic grounds and the division of economic assets in non – economic factors, South Asia has been repeatedly engulfed with bouts of strife and instability that has at times challenged the very foundation of India ‘ s democratic fabric. Despite India ‘ s obvious pride in its democratic track record, it has also steadfastly followed the twin tenets of (a) no export of ideology and , (b) no territorial ambitions in its dealings with all countries, including its neighbours. Such a clear – cut stand has no doubt contributed to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

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