<P> Southeast Asia was under Southern Indian ( Dravidian ) influence starting around 200 BC until around the 15th century , when Buddhist influence was absorbed by local politics . Kingdoms in the south east coast of the Indian Subcontinent had established trade , cultural and political relations with Southeast Asian kingdoms in Burma , Thailand , Indonesia , Malay Peninsula , Cambodia and , to a lesser extent , Vietnam . Unlike the Hindu kingdoms within the Indian sub-continent , the Tamil kingdoms of the southeastern coast of the peninsula did not have culture restrictions on crossing the sea . This led to more exchanges through the sea routes into Southeast Asia . Whereas Buddhism thrived and became the main religion in many countries of the Southeast Asia , it died off on the Indian subcontinent . </P>
other states in southeast asia that were influenced by india include
Burma Thailand Indonesia Malay Peninsula Cambodia Vietnam