Correct Option
The correct option is (a).
Explanation
India occupies a central position in the southern part of the Asian continent. The southward extension of the Asian landmass, specifically the protrusion of the Deccan Peninsula into the Indian Ocean, grants India a strategic advantage in international maritime trade by dividing the northern Indian Ocean into two seas.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: India is centrally located between East and West Asia. This strategic location allows it to straddle the trans-Indian Ocean routes that connect the countries of Europe in the West to the countries of East Asia.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: India establishes close contact with West Asia, Africa, and Europe from the western coast (via the Arabian Sea), not the eastern coast.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: India establishes close contact with Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast (via the Bay of Bengal), not the western coast.
Key Takeaway
The Deccan Peninsula protrudes into the Indian Ocean, facilitating maritime connectivity with the West via the Arabian Sea and with the East via the Bay of Bengal.