Through its history as a modern state Australia has mostly had limited interaction with Indian Ocean countries. Arguably it has been the Pacific Ocean which Australia has looked to as the principal source of opportunities and threats. Yet as the country with the world’s longest Indian Ocean coastline, the northeastern Indian Ocean is part of Australia’s immediate region and an area of strategic priority. This makes the increase of military buildup and competition in the Indian Ocean of great concern.

Given that stability is a key concern, Australia has an interest in supporting the conditions that enhance stability, such as the rule of law and protection of human rights. Poverty and disadvantage within the region can give rise to social tension and instability, which can spill over to the sea lines of communication in the form of piracy and irregular migration.

The importance of maritime routes through the Indian Ocean means that Sri Lanka and island states like Maldives are also vital. The Indian Ocean functions as a holistic strategic theatre, with instability in one sector having a flow-effect to the region as whole. Australia’s enthusiastic adoption of the Indo-Pacific concept has helped Australian foreign policy focus on the Indian Ocean in a way that it has not done so much in the past.

This paper sets out pathways for greater engagement in the environment, maritime security, defence diplomacy and economic security.