NCERT Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-II: Chapter 2 — India and Her Neighbours
This chapter, 'India and Her Neighbours,' from NCERT's Class 7 Social Science textbook 'Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-II,' delves into the concept of neighbourhood, extending beyond just shared land borders. It highlights India's land neighbours like Pakistan, Afghanistan, China (Tibet), Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, emphasizing the vastness and diversity of its 15,100 km land boundary. The chapter also introduces the idea of a maritime neighbourhood, identifying Sri Lanka and the Maldives as immediate sea neighbours, and extending this concept to include nations like Iran, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. It underscores India's central and strategic position in South Asia, influenced by both geography and history, and how these connections shape relationships and interdependencies in the modern world. This understanding is crucial for students to grasp India's role in the global context.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | Social Science |
| Book | Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-II |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — India and Her Neighbours |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 356 |
Learning outcomes
- Define the concept of a neighbourhood, including both land and maritime neighbours.
- Identify India's land and maritime neighbours.
- Understand the significance of geography and history in shaping India's relationships with its neighbours.
- Recognize India's strategic position in South Asia.
- Appreciate the interconnectedness of nations in the contemporary world.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Neighbourhood | A country that shares a land boundary or is connected by sea or ocean. |
| Land boundary | The border of a country that is on land. |
| Maritime nation | A country surrounded by the sea on its sides. |
| Maritime neighbour | A country connected by a shared sea or ocean without a direct land border. |
| Strategic place | An important and advantageous position. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What is the traditional view of a neighbourhood? Answer: The traditional view of a neighbourhood is a country that shares a land boundary with us.
- Name two of India's land neighbours in the northwest. Answer: Pakistan and Afghanistan are two of India's land neighbours in the northwest.
- Which countries are India's immediate maritime neighbours across the waters? Answer: Sri Lanka and the Maldives are India's immediate maritime neighbours across the waters.
- What acts as a vital link between maritime neighbours? Answer: The ocean acts as a vital link between maritime neighbours, facilitating trade, cultural exchange, and historical ties.
Frequently asked questions
What is a neighbour in the traditional sense?
Traditionally, a neighbour is a country that shares a land boundary with another country.
Which countries are India's land neighbours?
India's land neighbours include Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwest, China's region of Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan in the north, and Bangladesh and Myanmar in the east.
Who are India's immediate maritime neighbours?
Sri Lanka and the Maldives are India's immediate maritime neighbours across the waters.
What is a maritime neighbour?
A maritime neighbour is a country connected to another by a shared sea or ocean, even without a direct land border.
Besides immediate sea neighbours, which other nations are part of India's maritime neighbourhood?
Nations like Iran, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia are considered part of India's wider maritime neighbourhood.
What is the approximate length of India's total land boundary?
India's total land boundary stretches over 15,100 km.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 7 Social Science — Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-II — Chapter 2 — India and Her Neighbours. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.