Final answer:
Gandhi feared that the British presence in India might provoke Russia to invade India, given the historical Great Game rivalry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gandhi feared that the presence of the British in India might provoke Russia to invade India. This concern was part of the broader geopolitics of the time, where imperial powers were vying for control and influence in Asia. The British presence in India was seen as a potential trigger for Russian expansionism, given the longstanding Great Game rivalry between the British and Russian empires.
While other countries like China and Afghanistan shared borders with India, it was the Russian Empire's expansionist policies during Gandhi's time that were a significant concern for Indian leaders who feared an invasion.