India & Neighbours (Nepal, BD, SL)
International Relations · भारत और पड़ोसी देश · 18 facts
India-Nepal: Open border under Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1950); Nepali citizens can work/live in India without visa.
Kalapani-Lipulekh dispute: Nepal claims the tri-junction area; India's Dharchula-Lipulekh road (2020) triggered Nepal to revise its official map.
Nepal revised its official map in 2020 to include Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura — territories India claims are its own.
India-Nepal Hydropower Cooperation: Pancheswor Multipurpose Project (5600 MW), Arun-III (900 MW); India is Nepal's largest electricity buyer.
Bangladesh Liberation 1971: India helped East Pakistan become Bangladesh; Operation Trident and Operation Jackpot were key military operations.
Teesta Water Dispute: India-Bangladesh — Teesta river sharing unresolved since 2011 due to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's objection.
Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August 2024 amid student protests; she took refuge in India; Muhammad Yunus became interim PM of Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka Tamil Eelam Issue: India had Tamil ethnic connection; LTTE demanded separate Tamil Eelam; Rajiv Gandhi sent IPKF (Indian Peace Keeping Force) in 1987 — controversial.
Hambantota Port: Sri Lanka leased it to China on 99-year lease in 2017; India was concerned about Chinese military presence near its waters.
India provided Sri Lanka $4 billion economic assistance during the 2022 debt crisis — largest bilateral support for Sri Lanka.
Maldives: Small island nation, critical for India's maritime security; President Muizzu (elected 2023) adopted a pro-China stance and asked India to withdraw military personnel.
'India Out' Campaign in Maldives 2023: President Muizzu demanded removal of Indian military personnel; India complied by March 2024.
Bhutan: India's closest ally; Treaty of Friendship 2007 (replaced 1949 treaty); India finances ~70-80% of Bhutan's development plans.
Doklam Standoff 2017: India intervened to stop Chinese road construction near Bhutan's territory; diplomatic confrontation for 73 days.
SAARC headquarters is in Kathmandu, Nepal; SAARC was established by Dhaka Declaration (December 8, 1985).
Myanmar: India's Act East Policy starts with Myanmar; India is building Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project for Northeast connectivity.
Afghanistan: India built Salma Dam, Parliament building, Delaram-Zaranj Highway; Taliban takeover 2021 complicated India's investments.
India's Neighbourhood First Policy success: Hydropower from Nepal/Bhutan, trade with Bangladesh (largest export destination in South Asia), cooperation with Sri Lanka and Maldives.