The historical linkages between India and South East Asia are deep-rooted, multidimensional, and span over two millennia, reflecting a continuous process of cultural exchange, economic interaction, religious dissemination, and political influence. These connections were not the result of conquest alone but were largely shaped by peaceful interactions, trade networks, and the movement of people, ideas, and beliefs across the Bay of Bengal. One of the earliest foundations of India–South East Asia relations was maritime trade. Indian merchants began sailing to regions such as present-day Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam as early as the first millennium BCE. The monsoon winds facilitated regular sea voyages, enabling the exchange of goods like spices, textiles, beads, and precious stones. Ports on the eastern coast of India, such as Tamralipti and Kaveripattinam, emerged as major centers of trade, linking India with thriving South East Asian trading hubs. This commercial interaction laid the groundwork for sustained cultural and social exchanges. Cultural transmission was one of the most significant outcomes of these interactions. Indian culture, particularly elements of language, literature, art, and architecture, had a profound impact on South East Asian societies. Sanskrit and Pali languages became influential in royal courts and religious institutions, leading to the adoption of Indian scripts and literary traditions. Epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata were adapted into local versions, becoming integral to the cultural fabric of countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia. For instance, the Ramayana is still performed in traditional dance dramas such as the Ramakien in Thailand and the Wayang Kulit shadow puppetry in Indonesia. Religion played a crucial role in strengthening these historical linkages. Hinduism and Buddhism spread from