What was Britain's main interest in Aden up to the 1830s?

Britain's main interest in Aden up to the 1830s centered around the strategic importance of suppressing piracy in the region. During this period, Aden was a crucial point on maritime routes, especially for ships traveling to and from India. The area was notorious for pirate activity, which posed a threat to British commercial interests and trade routes. By securing control over Aden, Britain aimed to protect shipping lanes from pirates and ensure safer passage for their vessels.

While other factors such as trade route establishment and military bases would later play a significant role in British interests, the immediate concern through the 1830s was largely focused on maintaining security and order in the waters surrounding the Red Sea and the Arabian Peninsula, effectively addressing the piracy that was rampant during that time.