Independent India has consistently fostered world peace and international co-operation. India abjured military alliances, but has been active in co-operating with other nations for peace and economic development. As Jawaharlal Nehru stated: "We can neither be absolutely dependent or independent, but we live in a world of interdependence." India's neighbours were part of a homogenous culture in the Indian subcontinent for the last five thousand years.
1. India and Its Neighbours
| Direction | Neighbours |
|---|---|
| North-west | Pakistan and Afghanistan |
| North | China, Nepal, Bhutan |
| East | Bangladesh |
| Far east | Myanmar |
| Across the Indian Ocean | Sri Lanka (south-east) and Maldives (south-west) |
India has cordial historical, religious, economic, ethnic and linguistic relationships with all these countries. The countries that share the most number of neighbours touching their borders are China and Russia.