Question

the central location of india at the head of the indian ocean is considered of grear significance

Answer 1

Trade and commerce: India is in the midst of the trans-oceanic shipping routes. Strategically India is very close to the choking point such as strait of Malacca in the east and strait of Bab el-Mandeb in the west. As more than 95% of our trade by volume is shipped through this route, India’s central location helps to maintain an order in the region.Natural resources: India is endowed with more than 7500 kms stretch of coastline. Due to this vast coastline, India has earned about 2 million sq kms of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This EEZ is endowed with marine resources. India has also got permission to mine polymetallic nodules from region beyond the EEZ. The crude oil reserve has been mapped in the delta region of Bay of Bengal.Geo-political significance: India is a major power in the Indian Ocean Region. Recently, India has emerged as ‘Net Security Provider’ to the smaller littoral states in the Indian Ocean Region. India is developing security infrastructure in the region such as Agalega in Mauritius and Assumption Island in Seychelles. The central location of India helps to establish geo-strategic relations across stretch of IOR, particularly in Eastern Africa, West Asia and South East Asia.Climate and Environment: Major part of India receives rainfall by moisture laden winds which flows from sea to land, called as South-West Monsoon. During retreat of monsoon, part of North-East India, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu gets rainfall from North-East Monsoon. This varied climate and topography allows India to cultivate crops ranging from tropical such as sugarcane and mangoes to temperate such as coffee and apples.