Complex sentence: Geography also played a role, as seen in India's use of an impressive maritime industry and convenient route through the Indian Ocean, estalishing their role as a "hinge" betwen the East and West.
Split into simpler sentences: Geography also played a role, as seen in India's development of an impressive maritime industry. Because of it's position along a convenient route through the Indian Ocean, India established its role as a "hinge" betwen the East and West.