India and Her Neighbours Class 7
India and her neighbours Class 7. India’s total land boundary stretches over 15,100 km and passes through diverse landscapes, including deserts, plains, forests, mountains, marshes, and river valleys.
- What defines a ‘neighbour’? Is it just shared land borders?
Ans – A neighbour is a country or person that lives close to another. In terms of countries, neighbours are usually those that share common land borders.
However, a neighbour is not only defined by land borders. Countries that are separated by water bodies (like seas or oceans) can also be neighbours. For example, Sri Lanka is separated from India by the sea but is still considered a neighbouring country.
So, being a neighbour means being geographically close, not just sharing land boundaries.
- How do geography and history influence the nature of India’s relationships with her neighbours?
Ans – Geography plays an important role in shaping India’s relations with her neighbours. Countries that share borders, rivers, mountains, and seas with India are closely connected. For example, the Himalayas act as natural barriers in the north, while rivers and trade routes connect India with neighbouring countries. Being close to each other means countries often trade, travel, and share resources.
History also influences relationships. In the past, India had cultural exchanges, trade, and sometimes conflicts with neighbouring countries. These historical connections affect present-day relations. Shared culture, language, and traditions help build friendly ties, while past conflicts may create challenges.
- In what ways are India and her neighbours interconnected today?
Ans – India and her neighbours are connected through trade, travel, and cultural exchanges. People visit each other’s countries for education, work, and tourism. They share rivers and natural resources. India also cooperates with neighbouring countries through SAARC and other regional groups to maintain peace and development.
NCERT QUESTIONS Class 7
- Explain who a maritime neighbour is with two examples with respect to India.
Ans – A maritime neighbour is a country that is close to another country but is separated by a sea or ocean instead of sharing a land border.
With respect to India, Sri Lanka and Maldives are maritime neighbours. They do not share land borders with India but are located across the sea and are geographically close to India.
- How has Buddhism created links with India’s neighbours? Give examples to explain your answer.
Ans – Buddhism, which began in India, has created strong cultural and religious links with many neighbouring countries. The teachings of Gautama Buddha spread from India to countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and China.
For example, Emperor Ashoka sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism. Many Buddhist pilgrims from countries like China visited India to study and visit holy places such as Bodh Gaya and Sarnath.
Because of Buddhism, India shares religious, cultural, and historical ties with these countries even today.
- What does ‘open border’ policy mean? How does the India–Nepal ‘open border’ policy affect the lives of people living along the border?
Ans – An open border policy means that people of two countries can cross the border freely without a visa or passport for travel, work, or trade.
The India–Nepal open border policy allows people from both countries to travel, work, and do business easily. Many people cross the border daily for jobs, education, shopping, and visiting relatives. It helps in building friendly relations and cultural exchange between the two countries.
This policy makes life easier for people living near the border as they can earn livelihoods and maintain family ties across the border.
- The chapter says, “Being neighbours is not just about geography.” Explain this statement with an example.
Ans – The statement means that countries are not connected only because they are close to each other on the map. They can also be connected through history, culture, religion, trade, and people-to-people relations.
For example, India and Sri Lanka are separated by the sea, but they share strong cultural and religious ties through Buddhism and the Ramayana. Similarly, India and Nepal share close ties because of open borders, common culture, and family connections.
So, being neighbours is not only about sharing borders but also about sharing strong social and cultural bonds.
- What are the different ways in which India has helped smaller countries in her neighbourhood? Explain with examples.
Ans – Different ways in which India has helped smaller neighbouring countries
India has helped smaller countries in its neighbourhood in many ways:
- Disaster relief – India sends food, medicines, and rescue teams during natural disasters. For example, India helped Nepal after the 2015 earthquake and Sri Lanka during floods and crises.
- Economic support – India provides loans, financial aid, and trade support to countries like Bhutan, Nepal, and Maldives for development projects.
- Development projects – India helps build roads, schools, hospitals, dams, and power projects in neighbouring countries. For example, India has supported hydropower projects in Bhutan.
- Medical and educational help – India offers scholarships and medical treatment to students and patients from neighbouring countries.
- Peace and security support – India cooperates with neighbouring countries to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Through disaster relief, financial help, and development projects, India supports smaller neighbouring countries and strengthens friendly relations.
- How do shared challenges become opportunities for cooperation? Were there examples in this chapter to illustrate this?
Ans – When countries face common problems like floods, earthquakes, pollution, or water shortages, they can work together to solve them. By sharing resources, knowledge, and skills, countries can help each other and reduce the impact of the problem.
Examples from the chapter
- Floods and natural disasters – India helps Nepal and Sri Lanka during earthquakes, floods, and other crises by sending food, medicines, and rescue teams.
- Water sharing – Countries sharing rivers, like India and Nepal, cooperate to manage water for irrigation and hydropower projects.
These shared challenges become opportunities for friendship, teamwork, and regional cooperation.
- If borders were drawn only by culture and connections, how would the map look different?
Ans – If borders were drawn only based on culture, language, religion, and historical connections, the map of the world (and India) would look very different. People who share the same language, religion, or traditions would be in the same country, even if they live far apart geographically.
For example, many regions in India have similar languages or cultural practices that spread across current state or national borders. Similarly, countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh were once part of the same cultural region before borders were drawn for political reasons.
So, the map would focus on human connections and shared heritage rather than just geography.
- On blank maps: Label India’s neighbours. Draw arrows showing cultural flows (e.g., food, festivals, languages) between India and her neighbours. Imagine and redraw new “borders of friendship” that connect neighbours through rivers, trade routes, or cultural zones. Collect pictures of the flags of the countries listed in this chapter and write your observations.
Ans – Do it Yourself.