The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?

The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance because: 

a) It has given India a strategic advantage due to the Trans Indian ocean routes which connect the countries of Europe in the West and the countries of East Asia. 

b) This helps India to establish close contact with West Asia, Africa and Europe from the Western coast and with the Southeast and East Asia from the Eastern coast. 

c) The vast coastline and the natural harbours have benefitted India in carrying out trade and commerce with its neighbouring and distant countries since ancient times. 

d) It has given India a distinct climate than the rest of the Asian Continent. 

e) No other country has such a long coastline on the Indian Ocean as India. It is India’s eminent position in the Indian Ocean which has given the name of an Ocean after it.

The location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean has helped India in establishing close contacts with West Asia, Africa and Europe from the Western coast and with South East and East Asia from the Eastern coast.