7000 km

India is situated in the Eastern hemisphere. It stands on the northern edge of the Indian Ocean. Japan in the north-east, Australia in the south-east, Europe in the north-west and Africa in the south-west are almost at equal distance from India.
(i) The trans Indian-Ocean routes connecting the countries of Europe in the west and the developing countries of Asia in the east provide a strategic central position to India.
(ii) Deccan Peninsular protrudes into the Indian Ocean. It helps India to establish close contract with West Asia, Africa and Europe from the western coast and with South-east and East Asia from the eastern coast. India has the longest coast line on the Indian Ocean. No other country has such a coast long line.

Andaman and Nicobar Island

(i) At any point, the sun shines perpendicular between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn twice a year.
(ii) At the places lying between these two parallels of latitude, enjoy the overhead sun twice a year
(iii) Ahmedabad has latitude 23⁰N and Kolkata 22⁰34' N latitude
(iv) Ahmedabad and Kolkatta lie between these two parallels. Hence, they enjoy the overhead sun twice a year.
(v) Delhi is the north of Tropic of Cancer so sun cannot be directly overhead.

India remained busy in the exchange of ideas and commodities since time immemorial
India's contacts with West Asia, East Asia, Central and South Asia are noteworthy
(i) Buddhism traveled from India to Tibet, China and as far as Japan and Korean Peninsula. The various passes across the mountains in the north have provided passage to ancient travelers.
(ii) Upanishads, the Ramy n, the Indian numeral and the decimal system reached many parts of the world as a result of these contacts.
(iii) India has trade relation with many countries. One of the famous land routes was connected to the famous silk route of China.
(iv) India has trade relations with South-East Asian Countries like Java, Cambodia, Sumatra, Bali, Sri Lanka, Burma and Siam
(v) The spices, Muslim and other merchandise were taken from India is different countries.