Which neighbouring country is separated from India by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar?

Introduction / Context:
Some international boundaries are defined on land, while others are marked by narrow seas or straits. The southern tip of India is separated from an island nation by a shallow stretch of sea that includes the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. This area is frequently mentioned in school geography and current affairs, making it a popular topic for exam questions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The question mentions two specific water bodies: the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar.

We are asked which neighbouring country is separated from India by these waters.

Options given are Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

We assume the current political map of South Asia.

Concept / Approach:
The Palk Strait lies between the south eastern coast of Tamil Nadu in India and the northern coast of the island nation of Sri Lanka. The Gulf of Mannar is part of the same shallow sea area between the two landmasses. No other neighbour of India fits this description: Myanmar and Bangladesh are to the east of India across land and riverine borders, while Pakistan is to the west. The approach is therefore to connect the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar with Sri Lanka as the island country separated from India by these waters.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Visualise the southern tip of the Indian peninsula and the island just to its south east.Step 2: Recall that this island nation is Sri Lanka, which lies off the coast of Tamil Nadu.Step 3: Remember that the narrow stretch of sea between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka is called the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar.Step 4: Compare this information with the options and select Sri Lanka as the correct neighbouring country.

Verification / Alternative check:
A glance at a map of the Indian Ocean region clearly shows Sri Lanka lying immediately south of India, separated by a short distance of shallow sea containing the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. No similar strait is shown between India and Myanmar, Bangladesh or Pakistan on a standard school atlas. This visual confirmation leaves no doubt that Sri Lanka is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Myanmar shares a land border with the north eastern states of India and is separated from India by hills, not by the Palk Strait or Gulf of Mannar.
Bangladesh lies to the east of India and shares a long land and riverine border, not the narrow sea straits named in the question.
Pakistan lies to the north west of India and is separated by deserts and mountain ranges rather than by these southern sea channels.
Therefore, these countries do not match the geographic description given in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse different water bodies such as the Palk Strait, Malacca Strait and Strait of Hormuz. Others may know that Sri Lanka is an island near India, but they forget the names of the separating waters. A useful way to remember is to link the names: Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, and Adam s Bridge or Rama s Bridge as the chain of shoals between them. This set of associations makes the exam question easy to answer.

Final Answer:
The country separated from India by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar is Sri Lanka.