The correct answer is: All of the above.
Sikkim is a landlocked state in northeastern India. It is bordered by Bhutan to the north, China to the east, Nepal to the west, and West Bengal to the south. Sikkim has a strategic location near international borders, which creates potential for increased cross-border trade, regional cooperation, and security concerns.
- Increased cross-border trade: Sikkim’s location near international borders makes it a potential hub for cross-border trade. The state already has a number of trade routes with neighboring countries, and the potential for increased trade is significant. Increased cross-border trade would benefit the economies of Sikkim and its neighbors, and it would also help to promote regional integration.
- Regional cooperation: Sikkim’s location near international borders also makes it a potential hub for regional cooperation. The state is already a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and it is also a member of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). These organizations provide a forum for Sikkim to cooperate with its neighbors on a range of issues, including trade, investment, and infrastructure development.
- Security concerns: Sikkim’s location near international borders also raises security concerns. The state is located in a sensitive region, and it is close to the disputed border between India and China. The potential for conflict in this region is a major concern for India, and it is a factor that has to be taken into account in any discussion of Sikkim’s strategic location.
In conclusion, Sikkim’s strategic location near international borders creates potential for increased cross-border trade, regional cooperation, and security concerns. The state is already a hub for cross-border trade, and it is a member of a number of regional organizations. However, the state’s location also raises security concerns, and it is a factor that has to be taken into account in any discussion of Sikkim’s strategic location.