INDIA’S RELATION WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS

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A Land of Timeless Diversity and Vibrant Growth

India, located in the heart of South Asia, is a land where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with modern innovation. As the world’s most populous democracy, India captivates us with its diversity—of languages, landscapes, religions, and cultures. From the snow-clad Himalayas in the north to the tropical coasts in the south, India’s geography is as varied as its heritage.

With a history spanning thousands of years, India is the birthplace of major religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Today, it stands as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, powered by a thriving tech industry, rich agricultural base, and a youthful, dynamic population. But one of  the fastest growing economies is locked in a cold relation with its neighbors. We see that India says neighbors first but we don’t notice this sign in their approach with their neighbors. India is now in a clear conflict with the most of its neighbors. Let’s make a detailed analysis of its relation with its neighbors.

Creation of India and Pakistan:

The division of India in 1947, known as the Partition, marked the end of British colonial rule and the birth of two independent nations—India and Pakistan. The split was based largely on religious lines, with Muslim-majority regions forming Pakistan (which included East Pakistan, now Bangladesh), and Hindu-majority areas remaining as India. The boundary between the two nations was drawn by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, a British lawyer, and came to be known as the Radcliffe Line. The Partition was accompanied by one of the largest mass migrations in human history, as nearly 10 to 15 million people crossed borders to join their chosen nation. Tragically, this movement triggered widespread communal violence, resulting in the deaths of over a million people. The Partition left deep scars on the subcontinent, shaping the political and cultural landscapes of both countries to this day. 

As we have already come to know, after achieving emancipation from the British colonial rule, which they earned through their all-inclusive movement and fight against British colonialism without considering their color, caste, creed, and religion, the major India was divided into two states based on religion.

Later, Pakistan got two geographical positions on the world map;as a result, of partition that we have already focused on, but funnily enough, the two parts of Pakistan, called East Pakistan and West Pakistan, were located at such a distance from each other as if one were located on the east pole and the other on the west pole. As all the setups were in West Pakistan, it was naturally quite challenging for the governing body of West Pakistan to control East Pakistan. Moreover, representatives of West Pakistan failed to feel the pulse of the Bengali Muslim people as well as all the non-Muslim communities of East Paskistan.Though they made the claim of East Pakistan based on religion, they created discrimination among their own religious brothers and sisters let alone other communities of the state. 

The people of East Pakistan were deprived of their social, political, and economic rights and privileges. So, at a critical juncture of their lives and livelihoods, the people started raising their voice against discrimination. 

Here comes the opportunity for Indians who were opting for such a situation for a long time. It was not impossible that they hadn’t used their intelligence agency, RAW, to create unrest in East Pakistan. So, India didn’t let the chance go, and succeeded in breaking Pakistan into two parts. 

As a result, a new country emerged on the world map called Bangladesh on 16th December 1971. 

India’s Relations with Its Neighboring Countries:

India shares its borders with seven countries—Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan—and its relationships with them are shaped by a mix of historical legacies, security concerns, economic interests, and regional geopolitics. Below is a detailed analysis of India’s bilateral ties with each of its neighbors:

India–Bangladesh Relations:

India played a significant role in liberating Bangladesh. We, foolish Bengali people, always think of India as our bosom friend, as they have helped us to get independence. Okay fine, it is natural that we should be grateful to our friend. But you will have to remember that a true friend never reminds you of the help he did for you in the past. It is not a sign of a good friend. 

It can’t be denied that India reap a great harvest by dividing Pakistan, and is still harvesting. When Pakistan was united, India was under great threat. But now the scenario is different; they are free from this threat. After the liberation war, India gained dominance not only in the financial market of Bangladesh but in the internal politics aslo. One report said last year, that is, 2024, India earned roughly $11.06 billion from exports to Bangladesh. In another report, we have found that nearly 26 lakh Indians are working in Bangladesh. So, these tiny statistics are good enough to reveal the benefits of India. India also had a great influence on Awami-League, the pro-Indian party of Bangladesh. As a result, when their chosen party remained in power of Bangladesh, they could influence them in making decision related the internal issues of Bangladesh. This particular party was totally guided by the road map of India. The leaders of that particular party lived in Bangladesh but served the purpose of India.

Look at the report on the MONGABAY:

The two countries did reach a provisional agreement in 1983 to share the water of the Teesta during the lean pre-monsoon period, under which Bangladesh would get 36% of the water and India 39%, while 25% would remain unallocated. That agreement ended in 1985 and was extended to 1987, but there’s been no progress since then on reviving it.

In 2011, both governments were ready to sign an agreement during a visit by then-PM Manmohan Singh of India. But it was canceled at the last minute after the West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, pulled out of the visit.

Since then, the issue has been stuck in “discussions.” 

So, this is the very so-called friendly relationship with Bangladesh. This is one of the examples that India does not treat its neighbor well. 

Geo-plitical Aspect:

Indian government’s approach to Bangladesh can be compared to that of British colonizer. India has not invaded the land Bangladesh; otherwise, it  has clutched its claws in each and every administrative body of Bangladesh through RAW, and it has happened because Indian government has settled Sheik Hasina in power their interests.

 Awami-League government arranged fake elections for three consecutive period, and India supported that false elections. India intervened our elections nakedly and shamelessly.

The only nation that supported and controlled the unfair and unlawful election of the AL government was none other than India. Such a naked interference of Indian government to the country’s national affairs has made the people of Bangladesh furious, and they start hating India. Moreover, the repeated communal violence in India, especially against Muslims,  has created an anti-Indian sentiment among them.  

Sheik Hasina’s party AL is an auto choice for India. Hasina knew that if she arranged a free and fair elections, she would not be elected. That’s why, she sought the help of Modi government. India probably had a great plan with Hasina as her family had a close association with Indian government during liberation war in 1971. After the assassination of Sheik Mujibur Rahman along with most of his family members in his Dhanmondi 32 residence in a coup d’état on 15 August 1975, Sheik Hasina and the surviving members of her family had to live in exile in New Delhi for six years. So, Sheik family is a great allay of India from all perspectives. To gain its ulterior motive India government selected Hasina. Even the foreign investment were considered based on India’s interests. In one of her speeches Sheik Hasina admitted that what she has given to India, India will remember it forever. What a shame for a country? On the other hand, many national issues of our interests like the water of teesta remained unresolved.

India was going to make Hasina the Kazi Lhendup Dorjee of  Sikkim, but the general people and the valiant students of Bangladesh foiled this notorious motive of India on August 5, 2024, sacrificing their lives. The people of all walks of life, mainly the students, compelled Hasina to flee the Country. Interestingly enough, she took shelter in India as the people of Bangladesh presumed. So, India’s foreign policy in Bangladesh is proved to be wrong. Bangladesh want a give and take and a assertive policy with India.

The interim government of Bangladesh has made an epoch-making decision by banning the any kind of political activities of Awami-League citing national security concerns.  

India–Pakistan Relations:

India’s relationship with Pakistan remains one of the most volatile in the region, primarily due to the Kashmir conflict and cross-border terrorism. Since the partition in 1947, the two nations have fought multiple wars and skirmishes, and diplomatic relations have been deeply strained, especially after the 2019 Pulwama terror attack and the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir. Moreover, the most recent terror attack at Pahalgam on 22April, 2025fueled the the relation in fury. India accuses Pakistan of harboring and supporting terrorist groups targeting India, while Pakistan denied the accusation. However, the situation escalated more when India launched air strikes at different places of Pakistan on 7th May 2025. Pakistan also waged war against India, and retaliated heavily, and created a great havoc in India. Then American president Donald Trump negotiated and called for immediate ceasefire., and both the countries have agreed to sit for bilateral discussions on a neutral venue. Let’s see what happen next. 

India–China Relations:

India’s ties with China are a complex mix of economic cooperation and strategic competition. Though both countries are large emerging economies and members of international forums like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), their unresolved border disputes—particularly in Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh—have led to frequent standoffs. The situation deteriorated sharply following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, where soldiers from both sides died for the first time in decades. Despite high trade volumes, India has imposed restrictions on Chinese investments, banned numerous Chinese apps, and boosted border infrastructure. The relationship remains fraught, with trust at a low point.

India–Nepal Relations:

India and Nepal share deep-rooted religious, cultural, and historical bonds, reinforced by an open border and free movement of people. India is a major development partner and trade ally of Nepal. However, relations have experienced turbulence over issues like the Kalapani-Lipulekh border dispute, constitutional disagreements, and perceived Indian interference in Nepal’s internal politics. China’s growing influence in Nepal has also been a concern for India. Nevertheless, recent high-level visits and agreements on connectivity, hydropower, and trade suggest a renewed commitment to maintaining positive relations.

India–Bhutan Relations:

India and Bhutan share one of the warmest and most dependable partnerships in the region. India plays a critical role in Bhutan’s economic development, especially in hydropower generation, infrastructure, and education. Defense cooperation is also strong, with India assisting in Bhutan’s security training and border management. The 2017 Doklam standoff, where Indian troops intervened to stop Chinese road construction near Bhutanese territory, showcased the depth of this strategic partnership. Bhutan continues to carefully manage its relations with both India and China while maintaining its traditional friendship with India.

 India–Myanmar Relations:

India’s relationship with Myanmar is shaped by both strategic needs and regional stability. India is working on projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project and the India–Myanmar–Thailand highway, which are vital to its Act East Policy. Both countries cooperate on curbing cross-border insurgencies and smuggling in India’s Northeast. However, Myanmar’s 2021 military coup and the subsequent humanitarian crisis have complicated diplomatic engagement. India has taken a cautious approach, balancing between national interest, regional stability, and democratic concerns.

India–Sri Lanka Relations:

India and Sri Lanka enjoy historical and cultural ties, but the relationship has seen ups and downs. India was one of the first countries to provide extensive economic assistance during Sri Lanka’s 2022 financial crisis. However, China’s growing presence in Sri Lanka—through port projects like Hambantota and Colombo Port City—has been a major concern for India. Additionally, unresolved issues regarding the Tamil minority, fishermen disputes, and regional politics often strain bilateral relations. Nevertheless, India continues to support Sri Lanka through development partnerships and regional cooperation.

India–Afghanistan Relations:

India had a strong developmental and diplomatic presence in Afghanistan until the Taliban takeover in 2021. It invested heavily in infrastructure, health, education, and governance, gaining goodwill among Afghan citizens. With the return of the Taliban regime, India closed its embassy but resumed limited humanitarian aid and reopened a diplomatic presence in 2022 on a small scale. India remains cautious, focusing on counterterrorism, regional stability, and the protection of Afghan minorities, particularly Hindus and Sikhs.

Politicized and Polarized

Indian media is often viewed as highly politicized and polarized. Terms like “Godi Media” (lapdog media) reflect public frustration with outlets perceived as overly supportive of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). Many Indians express skepticism about the media’s independence, citing concerns over sensationalism and corporate influence. While some regional and digital platforms are gaining trust, mainstream television news is frequently criticized for prioritizing political agendas over objective reporting.

There’s awareness that channels often chase viewership through loud debates and dramatic presentation, sometimes at the expense of facts.

As many as 49 Indian media outlets spread at least 13 false reports about Bangladesh between August 12 and December 5, 2024, according to an investigation by Rumor Scanner, a Bangladeshi fact-checking organization. 

The public perception of Indian media is increasingly one of distrust, polarization, and frustration—though it still plays a central role in daily life. People are turning to regional outlets and digital platforms for alternative views, even as concerns over sensationalism and bias remain strong. 

If we make an analysis of the above information regarding India’s relation with its neighborhoods, we will find  a dim or faint picture of it, that is, the relationship is cold, and not reciprocal and warm. India is a large country, but due to the poor and mean visionary quality of its political leaders especially the current government, India will have to go a long way to become a world power like China, America and Russia. India can’t handle its neighbor Pakistan let alone the super power like China. Another great barrier of India to become a world power is their internal racial conflicts. India is gradually losing its fame as a country of unity in diversity. 

India has ranked 10th in a list of the world’s most hated countries, according to data released by an American weekly news magazine, based on research from the World Population Review. The rankings, drawn from a combination of international reports and public opinion surveys, reflect growing global discontent with countries viewed as politically, culturally, or militarily controversial. China topped the list, followed by the United States and Russia. 

However,after the collapse of AL government, the relation of Bangladesh with India is a bit cold. A number of dialogues have taken place between the two countries to improve the bilateral relations, and it is improving gradually. The chief adviser of Bangladesh has mentioned that we will have to keep good relation with India by hook or by crook. So, India will have to realize its mistake, and should try to make realation with the common people of Bangladesh, and should handle its media which spread too much fake news that turnish the people to people relation between two neighbouring countires. Bangladesh wants a relation of mutual respect with India.