The Indian state of Sikkim shares international borders with several neighbouring countries. Which one of the following countries does Sikkim not share a border with?

Introduction / Context:
Sikkim is a small but strategically important Himalayan state of India. It lies between several neighbouring countries, and questions often test your ability to identify exactly which international borders it shares. Visualising Sikkim on the map helps in remembering these geographic relationships.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The state in question is Sikkim. • The neighbouring countries listed are Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China. • We need to find the country with which Sikkim does not share a border.

Concept / Approach:
Sikkim is bordered by Nepal to the west, Bhutan to the east, and China (Tibet autonomous region) to the north and north east. To the south, Sikkim meets the Indian state of West Bengal. Bangladesh is located further south of West Bengal and does not directly touch Sikkim. Therefore, Bangladesh is the only country in the list that does not share a boundary with Sikkim.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Visualise Sikkim as a small north south elongated state sitting between Nepal on its west and Bhutan on its east. Step 2: Recall that the northern and north eastern boundaries of Sikkim touch China (Tibet region). Step 3: Remember that the southern boundary of Sikkim touches West Bengal, which in turn borders Bangladesh further south, but Sikkim itself does not extend as far south as Bangladesh. Step 4: Therefore, identify Bangladesh as the country with no direct border with Sikkim.

Verification / Alternative check:
Political maps of Sikkim show it sandwiched between Nepal, Bhutan and China, with its southern edge connected only to West Bengal. Bangladesh appears to the south of West Bengal and does not intersect Sikkim's territory at any point, confirming that there is no shared Sikkim Bangladesh boundary.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (Nepal) lies directly to the west of Sikkim, sharing a clear international boundary. Option C (Bhutan) lies to the east of Sikkim, and the two meet along their common frontier. Option D (China) borders Sikkim to the north and north east through the Tibetan region.

Common Pitfalls:
• Students sometimes see the close proximity of West Bengal and Bangladesh and assume that Sikkim must also touch Bangladesh, which is not the case. • Others may mix up the north east states and their exact boundary lines, so using a mental or physical map of the region can help avoid such errors.

Final Answer:
Sikkim does not share a border with Bangladesh.