India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of the early maritime history of the Bay of Bengal, which of the following could be the most convincing explanation/explanations?

• A. As compared to other countries, India had a better ship-building technology in ancient and medieval times.
• B. The rules of southern India always patronized traders, brahmin priests and buddhist monks in this context.
• C. Monsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal facilitated sea voyages.
• D. Both (a) and (b) are convincing explanations in this context.