Which of the following neighbouring countries does not share a direct land border with India and is connected only through sea routes?

Introduction / Context:
India is surrounded by several neighbouring countries, some connected by land borders and some mainly by sea. Understanding which countries share a land boundary helps with mapping, security awareness and regional geopolitics. This question asks which country among the options does not have a land border with India but is instead separated by a water body.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The focus is on neighbouring countries listed among the options. • We must identify the country that has no direct land border with India. • Options include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. • We use the widely accepted international boundaries shown on modern maps.

Concept / Approach:
India shares land borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Sri Lanka is an island nation to the south of India, across the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar. Therefore the approach is to recall the list of land border neighbours and identify the one that is only connected through the sea.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List the countries that are known to share land boundaries with India. Step 2: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar are clearly on the land frontiers of India. Step 3: Sri Lanka, however, is separated from the southern tip of India by narrow stretches of sea. Step 4: There is no official land border between India and Sri Lanka; connectivity is via sea and air routes, with historical references to shallow ridges like Adam Bridge. Step 5: Hence Sri Lanka is the only option that does not share a land border with India.

Verification / Alternative check:
World political maps and atlases show continuous land borders of India with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar. The maritime boundary with Sri Lanka is depicted in the Indian Ocean region, confirming the absence of a land frontier. Standard exam oriented lists of India neighbours always list Sri Lanka separately as an island neighbour connected only by sea.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Pakistan: Shares a long land border with India in the west, mainly along the Thar desert and Punjab region. Bangladesh: Almost fully surrounded by Indian territory on three sides, with extensive land borders in the east. Bhutan: A landlocked Himalayan neighbour directly bordering Indian states such as West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Myanmar: Shares a land border with India along the eastern side, touching states like Manipur and Mizoram.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may confuse maritime proximity and think of Sri Lanka as similar to land neighbours because it is very close to Tamil Nadu. Others might momentarily forget that the thin water channel between India and Sri Lanka prevents them from being land neighbours. A helpful memory aid is to remember that land borders are continuous solid lines on maps, whereas Sri Lanka is separated from India by blue sea areas.

Final Answer:
Among the given countries, the one that does not share a land border with India is Sri Lanka.