Question

You will choose a country, other than the USA or Turkey, that you would like to focus on for your final project, and work on the following critical elements: Rationale, Location, and Country Composition. I have chose INDIA

Share your country choice for the final project and the reasoning behind this decision. Next, visit the World Atlas and The World Factbook to begin collecting important geographic and demographic information on the region.

Share a map of the country in the discussion and identify the following elements:

- Regional location

- Water access

- Bordering countries

- Natural hazards or climate

Identify the following elements of the country:

- Literacy rate

- Rate of urbanization

- Heavily populated cities

- Major religions

- Educational data

- Age structure

Address the following questions based on your findings:

- What opportunities do you see from this information?

- What considerations would impact shipping, labor, or other operations?

- Are there any risks?

Answer 1

India is known as the second largest populated and 7th largest country around the world. India is a multi-cultural society. Indian culture is much more welcoming than any other country. Indian borders are the most sensitive borders with extreme climatic conditions around the globe.

Regional location: India is located in South Asia.

Water access: According to data, India has got the most population around the world which has not got access to clean water source. Almost 30% Indians have access to improved water for sanitation.

Bordering countries: India share its border with 7 countries namely Pakistan, Nepal, China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The Indian states, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujrat, Punjab and Rajasthan share its border with Pakistan.

Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Sikkim share its border with China.

Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttrakhand and Sikkim share their borders with Nepal.

Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya and West Bengal share its border with Bangladesh.

Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam and West Bengal touches the border with Bhutan.

Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland share its border with Myanmar.

Natural hazards or climate: Mostly natural hazards in India have occured due to climatic conditions causing tremendous losses of lives. For instance, Floods, droughts, avalanches, cyclones,etc. India climatic zone includes 6 major climatic subtypes.

Literacy rate: Literacy rate in India is almost 74%. The most literate state in India is Kerela.

Heavily populated cities in India: Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai.

Major religions in India: India has given birth to world's 4 major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism.

Age structure: Amost 28% Indian population falls into 0-14 category age group, almost 65% falls into 15-64 age group and 5% for people over 64 years of age according to 2014 data.

Rate of urbanization: Urbanization is incrementing day by day. Almost 30% people have moved and are residing in urban areas in India.

a) The international borders of India has opened cross-border opportunities between India and its neighbouring countries. India and China has been in the bilateral trade since 2005 and due to the international trade flow, today China is known to be India's largest trading partner. Organizations in China and India are open to acquire skills and knowledge outside their domestic markets. China has emerged as global pioneer in manufacturing industries whereas India has emerged as leader in service industries such as IT services.

Millions of Nepalis have been employed in India. Nepal has also been the same opportunity to Indian labor. There is free movement of people between India and Nepal due to many reasons, such as, health services, business, eduaction, tourism, etc.

India has been trading with Bangladesh as well as Myanmar for investment opportunities. Trade between India and Bangladesh has opened opportunities to raise economic welfare between these two nations. India is known as the trading partner of Bangladesh for the last two decades. Free trade aggrement between India and Sri Lanka has promoted Indian enterprises to enter into Sri Lanka markets. Sri Lanka has also taken initiative to expand business in Indian market. Brandix Sri Lanka, largest textile exporter has invested in India. India provided financial aid to Bhutan to build Hydro electronic power project. This has opened opportunity for people living in India to roam free in Bhutan, only they have to carry a valid ID. Government in Nepal and Bhutan have often helped India in terrorism issue and other criminal activities.

b) The trade between India nad its neighbouring countries especially China and Nepal has provided opportunities to labor market. The workers from China and Nepal are open to acquire skills and knowledge to work in India. On the other side, Indian labor can work in Nepal. There is open cross-boder policy between India, Bhutan and Nepal. Many people move from Nepal to India and from India to Nepal in search of work.

c) Yes, there are risks involved in international borders of India. Many criminal activites have been occuring like smuggling, human trafficking, drugs, etc, between Nepal and India. There is conflict between India and Pakistan due to Kashmir issue. India has no open border policy with Sri Lanka due to security issues.