India touches the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal.
India occupies a large peninsula in southern Asia, projecting southward into the Indian Ocean. Its western coast borders the Arabian Sea, while its eastern coast faces the Bay of Bengal. The waters south of the peninsula are part of the wider Indian Ocean system, making India the country associated with all three names in this question.
This geography has shaped India’s history. Coastal ports connected the subcontinent with East Africa, Arabia, Southeast Asia, and Europe for thousands of years. Seasonal monsoon winds helped sailors travel across the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, supporting trade in textiles, spices, gemstones, and other goods.
India’s coastline also includes island territories. Lakshadweep lies in the Arabian Sea, while the Andaman and Nicobar Islands lie in the Bay of Bengal. A common mix-up is naming Sri Lanka, which is surrounded by the Indian Ocean but does not touch both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal in the usual geographic classification. India’s coastal position also gives it major strategic importance in the northern Indian Ocean.