President’s Message
Fellow Rotarians,
Very Warm Greetings!!!
Last week, we had the privilege of being addressed by Admiral Robin Dhowan on India’s vast maritime interests as enablers of our blue economy, as India emerges as a resurgent maritime nation in the 21st Century.
This made me think about India’s international land borders shared with our neighbours Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan, China, and if one counts POK then even Afghanistan.
Perhaps the most famous and visited border in India touching Pakistan, which welcomes numerous tourists and guests is the Wagah border, located in the Indian state of Punjab, very close to Amritsar, and is known for its highly charged Retreat ceremony.
An important border between India-China, the Nathu La Pass is at a height of 4310 m above sea level, and is 54 km away from Gangtok. The border can visited only by Indian nationals with, of course, special permit.
To get a slight flavour of Bhutan, one may head to Bhutan Gate in Jaigaon, a quiet and peaceful border town with a lot of natural splendour.
A charming border in the beautiful state of Meghalaya, Dawki shares its border with Bangladesh’s Sylhet region. It is a very friendly border, as you get to see numerous Indians and Bangladeshis visiting here every day, including hawkers from both the countries, selling their merchandise to tourists.
Off the eastern coast, some 500 km south of Chennai, lies the historical Pamban Island, seemingly a stone’s throw from neighbouring Sri Lanka. One of the longest bridges in the country, the iconic Pamban Bridge connects the mainland with the island, also known as Rameswaram Island.
Visible from here is the Adam’s Bridge (also known as ‘Rama Setu’ supposedly built by Lord Rama’s army to rescue Sita from Lanka) — a former land link between India and Sri Lanka and now undersea.
Travelling from India to Nepal by land is not quick, but you can soak up some scenery and adventure if you have the time and patience.
India has five key border crossings into Nepal but the most frequently used by travellers is Sonauli as probably being the simplest way of travelling to Nepal from Delhi.
Myanmar or Burma is that Southeast Asian country, which is yet to see the large influx of tourism. Subsequent to the implementation of the landmark Land Border Crossing Agreement between India and Myanmar, signed on May 11, 2018, has simultaneously opened three international entry-exit checkpoints at the Tamu (in the state of Manipur) -Moreh (in western Sagaing Division) and the Rihkhawdar (in the remote northwestern Chin State of Myanmar)-Zowkhawtar (in Champhai district of Mizoram).
Presently, Afghanistan is not directly connected with India administered areas. However, the land border between the two countries passes partially through Pakistan occupied Kashmir/ Swat Valley which legitimately & formally acceded to India through instrument of succession (like any of 500 odd states merging with either Pakistan or India). However, due to the continued illegal occupation of this area by Pakistan, India is currently unable to get access to its land border with Afghanistan.
Preeti Mehta
President