India's contact with foreign countries dates back to the time of Chandragupta Maurya in the Mauryan Empire.
Chandragupta Maurya initiated political and cultural relations with the Greeks.
Chandragupta Maurya had a battle with Seleucus Niketar.
At the end of the war, attracted by Chandragupta's bravery and military prowess, Seleucus married his daughter
Helen to Chandragupta.
Thus relations with foreign countries began with Chandragupta's marriage.
Chandragupta Maurya was a Greek envoy to the court of Maugasthenes.
Contacts with foreign countries continued even in the time of Bindusara and Ashoka.
Greek historians called Bindusara "Amitra Ghatak."
Bindusara maintained friendly relations with the Greek kingdoms.
His court included ambassadors from Egypt and Syria.
King Antiochus of Syria sent an ambassador named Diamechus after Megasthenes to the court of Bindusara.
During Ashoka's time, India had special political-cultural contacts with the Greeks, Egyptians and Sri Lankans.