How Cholas, Mings dominated Indian Ocean before INS Vikrant

The commissioning of the INS Vikrant, India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier, has set off a storm on Twitter. Some have drawn parallels to the Maratha and Chola navies, and others have pointed out connections to that of the East India Company. The idea of India dominating the Indian Ocean is one of the most sought-after dreams of modern strategists. From the 20th century onwards, Indian diplomats and thinkers have pointed out that the country is ideally situated to control the "gateways" to the Indian Ocean at the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, the Palk Strait, and the Straits of Malacca….