India, March 2 -- India and the Indian Ocean have been inseparably connected by geography and history. This region has been a cradle of civilisations. Major religions and faiths of the world are all represented in the littoral and island nations of the Indian Ocean.

We know how geography exerts great influence on politics and security, particularly in matters 'maritime'. It is in this context that the Indian Ocean acquires importance. On its waters are carried half of the world's container shipments, one-third of bulk cargo traffic and two-thirds of oil. About one-third of the world's population inhabits the littoral straits and islands of the Indian Ocean. Four of these countries have populations in excess of one hundred and forty milli...