RBSE Guide
Social ·Class 7 Social Science

India and Her Neighbours Class 7 Notes

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RBSEGuide
· Jun 30, 2026 · Reviewed & updated Sep 17, 2026 · 3 min read

India and Her Neighbours Class 7 Notes

India and Her Neighbours Class 7 Notes

1. Maritime Neighbour: A country that is located near the sea and shares a border with another country. For example, India's maritime neighbours include the Maldives and Sri Lanka.


2. Open Border Policy: A system where people can move freely between two countries without strict border controls.


3. Transboundary River Systems: Rivers that flow across the borders of two or more countries.


4. Crisis Response: The actions taken by a country to help others during emergencies, such as natural disasters.


5. Trade Relations: The economic connections between countries based on the exchange of goods and services.


6. Diplomatic Relations: The way countries communicate and work together. India maintains diplomatic relations with its neighbours to promote peace and cooperation.


7. Jaywalking: Pedestrians walking or crossing roads without taking care to follow traffic rules.


8. Ingot: A lump or block of metal put into a shape convenient for transport and reworking.


9. Neighbourhood & India's Location

  1. Neighbourhood refers to countries sharing land or sea boundaries.
  2. India shares land borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China (Tibet), Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
  3. Total land boundary: 15,100km, crossing deserts, plains, forests, mountains, marshes, and river valleys.
  4. India is surrounded by sea on three sides, giving it a strong maritime identity.


10. Maritime Neighbours & Indian Ocean

  1. Immediate maritime neighbours: Sri Lanka and Maldives.
  2. Wider maritime neighbourhood includes Iran, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.


11. Indian Ocean:

  1. Third-largest ocean in the world. Carries half of global container ships and most oil trade. Connects countries with 2.7 billion people.
  2. India's long coastline (sim 11,100 km) and peninsular shape provide access to major sea routes linking Asia, Africa, and West Asia.


12. China

  1. Relationship since 1950; separated by the Himalayas.
  2. Border passes through Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
  3. Cultural links through Buddhism; monks like Xuanzang and Faxian strengthened ties.
  4. Trade imbalance: China exports far more to India than it imports.
  5. Recent tensions due to border disputes, with efforts ongoing for peaceful resolution.


13. Pakistan

  1. Emerged after partition in 1947.
  2. Relations marked by wars (1948, 1965, 1971, 1999) and tensions.
  3. Border stretches across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, J&K, and Ladakh.
  4. Cultural links continue through language, food, and music.
  5. Kartarpur Corridor allows Sikh pilgrims to visit holy sites in Pakistan.


14. Bangladesh

  1. Became independent in 1971.
  2. Shares long land border with eastern Indian states.
  3. Rivers like Ganga and Brahmaputra support agriculture and livelihoods.
  4. Strong cooperation in trade, security, disaster management, and environment.
  5. Joint protection of Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  6. Climate change poses scrious future challenges.


15. Nepal

  1. Shares an open border with India.
  2. Strong cultural and religious ties; common festivals and pilgrimage sites.
  3. Treaty of 1950 allows free movement and trade.
  4. India is Nepal's largest trading partner.


16. Bhutan

  1. Himalayan kingdom known as Drukyul (Land of the Thunder Dragon).
  2. Strong Buddhist links and pilgrimages to Indian sites.
  3. Hydropower cooperation (e.g., Tala Project).
  4. Known for Gross National Happiness as a development model.


17. Myanmar

  1. Gateway to Southeast Asia.
  2. Shares land and maritime boundaries with India.
  3. Buddhist ties and cultural restoration projects.
  4. Improved trade through land border agreements.


18. Afghanistan

  1. Historic links via Uttarapatha trade route.
  2. Ancient centres like Gandhara and Takshashila.
  3. India suppórts Afghanistan in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.


19. Sri Lanka

  1. Separated by the Palk Strait.
  2. Buddhism introduced from India in the 3rd century BCE.
  3. Civil war caused Tamil migration to South India.


20. Maldives

  1. Close maritime neighbour with strong defence and disaster-relief ties.
  2. Cultural links through language, food, and dance.
  3. Highly vulnerable to sea-level rise.


21. Thailand

  1. Ancient maritime trade since 3rd century BCE.
  2. Strong Indian influence: Dvaravati (from Dvaraka) and Ayutthaya (from Ayodhya).
  3. Shared Buddhism and Hindu traditions; Theravada Buddhism dominant.
  4. Indian epics, rituals, and royal names (Rama X).
  5. India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway boosts connectivity.


21. Malaysia

  1. Trade via Bay of Bengal for over 2,000 years.
  2. Hindu-Buddhist influence; Brahmi-based script.
  3. Indian migration during colonial era; 9% Indian population.
  4. Strong trade in palm oil, energy, IT.


22. Singapore

  1. Singapuram (Lion City).
  2. Indian cultural roots; Little India.
  3. Major investor in India


23. Indonesia

  1. Ancient trade links; Nalanda Muara Jambi ties.
  2. Borobudur Stupa symbol of Buddhist heritage.
  3. Cooperation in security, disaster management.


24. Iran and Oman

  1. Ancient ties since Bronze Age via land routes and Silk Route
  2. Parsis preserve Persian heritage
  3. Cooperation: energy, Chabahar Port
  4. 5,000-year-old trade links from Harappan era
  5. Ancient partner, 10% population
  6. Closest Gulf defence partner