NCERT Class 7 Textbook Reveals How Pakistan-Backed Terrorism Impacts India's Regional Relations

A newly introduced chapter in NCERT's Class VII Social Science textbook examines India's relationships with neighboring countries, specifically highlighting how Pakistan Army-supported terrorist activities have impeded normal relations between India and Pakistan.

The textbook also emphasizes ongoing efforts with China to address disputes through commercial engagement and diplomatic conversations.

The comprehensive 31-page chapter titled "India and Her Neighbours" broadens the concept of neighborhood beyond just land borders to include maritime partners. According to the text, this wider perspective serves "to situate India's central and strategic place in South Asia."

This chapter represents new content in the Class VII textbook "Exploring Society India and Beyond" and was not present in previous editions.

Regarding China, the chapter acknowledges long-standing civilizational connections alongside recent tensions. It characterizes India and China as two of Asia's most substantial and influential nations, with Buddhism serving as a powerful cultural link between them.

"In recent years there have also been phases of heightened tensions, mostly related to their shared borders and a few serious conflicts... On the other hand, efforts are being made to resolve disputes through trade, dialogue and border resolution mechanisms," the textbook states.

In a highlighted "Don't Miss Out" section, the book mentions Hindu merchants who constructed temples in Quanzhou, an important Chinese trading port during the 13th Century. The Kaiyuan temple features pillars depicting Vishnu, Shiva, and narratives from the Ramayana and Puranas.

The section discussing Pakistan describes bilateral relations as among the most challenging in the region, shaped by the Partition and four major military conflicts.

In one of its most direct statements, the textbook declares, "Frequent terrorist attacks launched against India with the support of the Pakistan Army have prevented normal relations between the two countries."

The chapter additionally notes that the India-Pakistan border represents "not just a geographical line, but also a symbol of shared heritage as well as a tragically divided history."

The text provides information about the Kartarpur Corridor, which facilitates visits for thousands to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.

"For decades, Indian devotees could only view this holy site from a distance, using binoculars set up near the border at Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab. The idea for a corridor was first proposed in the 1990s but only became a reality in 2019, when the corridor was officially opened to mark Guru Nanak's 550th birth anniversary," the textbook explains.

Regarding Bangladesh, the text highlights a close partnership rooted in history, shared rivers, and culture. It characterizes the relationship as "an enduring relationship shaped by a common history, culture and language," describing it as one of India's most significant regional connections.

India-Nepal relations are portrayed in terms of open borders and deep cultural ties. The book explains that their arrangement "allows citizens to cross freely without passports or visas, enabling people on both sides to access education, healthcare, employment and maintain family connections."

With Bhutan, the chapter emphasizes hydropower cooperation and Buddhist heritage, describing the bilateral relationship as "marked by mutual respect, strategic cooperation and cultural affinity."

For Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the textbook underlines ancient cultural connections and modern strategic partnerships, noting India's multiple instances of emergency assistance to these island neighbors, including during the 2004 tsunami and the 2014 Male water crisis.

The chapter also traces India's historical influence across Southeast Asia—covering Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia—through maritime trade and the spread of Buddhism, Sanskrit names, and epic stories. It observes how these connections influenced regional art, literature, and religion over centuries.

The chapter concludes by stating that India's relationships with its neighbors are built upon centuries-old civilizational exchanges.