India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of early maritime history of 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 rulers 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