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The Indian Borders ( Kingdoms of
our sentinels )
A background.
India has a total of 15,106.70 Kms. of land
border running through 92 districts in 17 States and a coastline of 7,516.60
Kms. touching 13 States and Union Territories (UTs).
India also has a total of 1,197 islands
accounting for 2,094 Kms. of additional coastline.
All Indian states in the country, barring
Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Delhi and Haryana , have one or more
international borders or a coastline; and thus can be regarded as frontline
States.
Size/Stretch of our borders.
The length of India's land borders with
neighboring countries is as under:
| Name of the country |
Length of the border |
| Bangladesh |
4,096.70 Kms |
| China |
3,488 Kms |
| Pakistan |
3,323 Kms |
| Nepal |
1,751 Kms |
| Myanmar |
1,643 Kms |
| Bhutan |
699 Kms |
| Afghanistan |
106 Kms |
These borders comprise a vast variety of
terrain encompassing deserts, plains, hills, mountains, high altitude and
riverine areas.
Vulnerability
Many of borders are very porous due to the
terrain and ethnic affinities of population on both sides of the borders.
Illegal migration, infiltration of
anti-national elements, smuggling of arms/explosives and drug trafficking are
some of the pressing problems. All this underscores the need for utmost
vigilance on the borders carried out by the Border Guarding Forces.
Every Indian border has its unique set of
problems. There are 51 Bangladeshi enclaves (area involved 7,110.02 acres) in
India and 111 Indian enclaves (area involved 17,158.13 acres) in Bangladesh.
Illegal migrations and alleged activities of
self-exiled Indian insurgent groups from Bangladeshi soil are the most
pressing impediments to peace on the Bangladesh stretch.
On the much maligned Pakistan stretch, India
continues to face internal threats from insurgencies fanned by "ethnic and
tribal chauvinists" who desire to achieve autonomy through left-wing
radicalism and extremism.
Main Border Contact Points.
- Pakistan Stretch.
- Wagah - Made famous in numerous Bollywood movies and the contact entry
point for the Buses and Train routes.
- Hussainiwala, Ferozepur - Made famous by the annual fair held at a
Muslim Fakir's grave that sees pilgrims from both sides making a beeline
to pay their respects.
- Aman Setu - the much revered, and embattled bridge in Kashmir.
- Siachen, famous as the worlds highest battleground.
- China Stretch
- Nathu La pass - a part of the Silk Route, recorded history by Huen
Tsang.
- Bangladesh Stretch.
- Salbagar-Akhaura
- Karimganj-Suthargadi
- Petrapole
- Dauki
- Nepal Stretch
- Sanauli, Gorakhpur district, made famous by Dev Anand, in Hare Rama
Hare Krishna.
- Naxalbari on the Indian side and Dulabari in Nepal
- Afghanistan stretch
- Bhutan stretch
- Myanmar stretch.
- Made famous as the last route taken by Bahadur Shah Zafar.
Border - Simplified.
- LoC
- Line of Control - Pakistan
- LAC
- Line of Actual Control - CHINA
The Indian Borders
( Kingdoms of our sentinels )
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