All the eight northeast states lies along the international borders surrounded by five neighboring countries viz China, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The unexplored NE region is connected to the rest of India via a small narrow corridor commonly known as the Chicken’s Neck , a narrow stretch of land squeezed between Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Both Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim shares three international borders respectively.

#1. Arunachal Pradesh

One of the most beautiful states of India, also known as the land of rising sun. It is the largest state among the eight Northeast states, and has 10 districts which border Myanmar in the east, China in the north & Bhutan in the west. The total length of the international border with Myanmar is 520 Kms, with China 1126 Kms and Bhutan 217 Kms.

#2. Assam

Assam’s seven districts shares international borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh. It is also home to the endangered one-horned Indian rhinocero and is surrounded by six Northeastern States: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya.

The state’s economy is based on agriculture and oil. It is said crude oil was discovered at Digboi in 1867. Assam has an international border of 262 Kms with Bangladesh and 267 Kms with Bhutan in the northwest.

#3. Manipur

Three districts of its nine districts border Myanmar in the east. Manipur acts as India’s ‘Gateway to the East’ through Moreh in Manipur and Tamu town in Myanmar, the land route for trade between India and Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries. The length of the international border with Myanmar is 398 Kms.

#4. Meghalaya

It is also popularly known as “the Abode of Clouds“. Meghalaya’s five districts is bounded to the south and the west by Bangladesh covering 443 Kms in length. The state of Meghalaya is mountainous, with stretches of great scenic valley and a panorama of lush, highland plateaus, and it is geologically rich in valuable minerals including coal, limestone, uranium and sillimanite.

The state has about 1,170 kilometers of national highways. It is also a major trade route with Bangladesh.

#5. Mizoram

Mizoram meaning “land of the hill people” in local dialects, is the southern most landlocked state sharing international borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar. Seven districts covering the total state area of 11944.31 Sq. Kms border Myanmar. The length of the international border is 818.19 Kms; 502.19 kms along the Indo-Myanmar and 316 kms along the Indo-Bangladesh front.

#6. Nagaland

(Ariel view of Kohima War Cemetary. This war cemetery is dedicated to the 10,000 Allied soldiers who lost their lives during the Japanese invasion during the World War II. Picture: Betoka Swu)

Nagaland was declared the 16th state of India on 1 December 1963. It is one of smallest states of India. Four districts viz, Tuensang, Mon, Phek and Kiphire share borders with Myanmar to the east. The length of the international border is 215 Kms.

In 1944, the Battle of Kohima was fought during the Japanese invasion. The battle have been named as the greatest ever battle involving British forces along with the battle of Imphal. The state is also widely considered as the “falcon capital of the world“.

#7. Sikkim

This hilly state nestling in the Himalayan range is the least populous state in India and the second-smallest state after Goa in total area. Sikkim is surrounded by Bhutan on its southeast, Nepal on its west and China on its northeast.

Three districts share international border with China 220 Kms, 99 Kms with Nepal and 32 Kms with Bhutan.

#8. Tripura

Tripura is the third-smallest Indian state. It has only major road; the National Highway 44 that connects the state with other Seven Sisters and the rest of the country. Rail transport was introduced in the state in 2009.

The state topography is characterised by hill ranges, valleys and plains. It is the largest international bordering state in the Northeast region with its international border (covering four districts) of 856 Kms in length, of which 730.5 km is fenced, as of 2012 with Bangladesh.

There are several locations that serve as bilateral trading points between India and Bangladesh, including Akhaura near Agartala, Raghna, Srimantpur, Belonia, Khowai and Kailasahar. Bus service is available between Agartala and Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. In 2013, the two countries has agreed to establish a 15 km railway link between Agartala and the Akhaura junction of Bangladesh.