The Indian ocean located in the south of India is very important. India's almost 1600 sq. km area is spread in the Indian Ocean. It is named after a country. The Indian Ocean bridges the gap between the East and the west. It serves as a link between the countries like Australia, Japan, and China, lying on its coast and even further beyond. These geographical features provide India with a significant edge in International trade. India's central location gives it great strategic importance and helps in maintaining trade and commerce. It helps in maintaining close contact with west Asia, Africa and Europe from the western coast and southeast and east Asia from eastern Asia.

The Trans Indian Ocean routes connect the developed countries of Europe in the west and the developing countries of East Asia in the east. These routes go through the shores of India thus providing a strategic central location to India. Trans Indian Ocean routes connect the industrially developed countries of Europe and the underdeveloped countries of East Asia.