The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
India's location at the head of the Indian Ocean is of great strategic importance. The physical configuration of the subcontinent, particularly the southward extension of the Peninsular Plateau, plays a vital role in determining India's geopolitical and economic relations with other regions.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: India occupies a central position between East and West Asia. This location is strategic because the trans-Indian Ocean routes, which connect the industrially developed countries of Europe in the West and the developing countries of East Asia, pass close to the Indian subcontinent.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Deccan Peninsula protrudes into the Indian Ocean, but this facilitates rather than hinders trade. This protrusion helps India establish close contact with West Asia, Africa, and Europe from the western coast and with Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast. It provides India with a long coastline, enhancing its maritime trade capabilities.
- Statement 3 is Correct: No other country has a long coastline on the Indian Ocean as India has. Ideally, it is India's eminent position in the Indian Ocean which justifies the naming of an ocean after it. It is the only country to have an ocean named specifically after it.
Key Takeaway
The
Deccan Peninsula's protrusion into the Indian Ocean is a geographical advantage that establishes India as a central node in global maritime trade, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific maritime routes.