The origin and development of the Indian Ocean is related to global tectonics in general, and to the break-up of the southern super continent Gondwana in particular, about 175–180 million years ago. The breakaway bits of plates continued their movements, creating ocean basins and mountain ranges until about 25 million years ago when the current configuration of the Indian Ocean was attained. This was followed by the onset of monsoons ca. 15 million years ago. The opening of the Indian Ocean and the rise of the magnificent Himalayan ranges, the two geographic boundaries of the Indian peninsula, formed a unique setting, driving the monsoons with the seasonally changing direction of winds and currents over land and sea. This led to a fertile land, and an ocean abundant in natural biodiversity. Seasonal monsoonal rains were harnessed for agriculture on land. Seasonally reversing winds and currents over the ocean facilitated trade across the seas. This boon became a bane in the historical past with migration/aggression from the Central Asian Steppe and occupation by the Europeans. The geopolitical rivalries in the ocean region continue to persist. Due to climate change, the Indian Ocean is warming at an enhanced rate, especially its north-western arm (Arabian sea), resulting in erratic monsoons, sea-level rise, frequent cyclones, and threatening the livelihoods and properties of populations of the Ocean Rim nations. This is besides the threat of tsunamis, now emanating from the Indonesian Archipelago, and potentially from the Arabian Sea in the future, warranting better-coordinated mitigation efforts by neighborhood countries.