Ocean processes relevant to climate variations in the Indian ocean sector

Oceanic processes that have significant impacts on the climate variations at various temporal and spatial scales in and around the Indian Ocean are briefly reviewed and summarized. Although only a limited number of processes are covered in this chapter, including biogeochemical and paleooceanographic aspects, all are important building blocks of the climate system and its variability in the Indian Ocean. Detailed mechanisms behind these processes and their interactions need to be investigated further for comprehensive understanding of the climate system in order to achieve better prediction skills of these climate variations.