Portuguese explorers primarily established trading posts in India, Persia, and Southeast Asia by using a combination of the following methods:
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They signed agreements between the local rulers and the Portuguese king: The Portuguese often negotiated treaties with local leaders to secure trading rights and establish friendly relations, which helped them create trading posts without resorting purely to force.
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They seized existing trading posts using force: The Portuguese were also known for their military strength. They often seized control of existing trading posts established by other European powers or local merchants, using force when necessary to establish their dominance in trade routes.
While the other options mentioned (working with native people to establish diverse colonies and allying with Muslim Arabs against local rulers) were less prominent strategies, the first two methods were the primary means by which the Portuguese expanded their trading network in these regions.