Australia is an Indian Ocean country, with Perth our Indian Ocean capital. The region is essential to Australia’s security and prosperity. We have one of the Indian Ocean’s longest coastlines, the largest Search and Rescue Zone and the largest Exclusive Economic Zone. Australia is committed to promoting our vision for an open, stable and prosperous region and to playing our part in responding to shared challenges, including climate change and maritime security.
Linking Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean’s sea lanes are fundamental to global trade, energy security, food security and supply chains. The Indian Ocean region is also strategically significant. Australia has an interest in a region that operates according to international rules, norms and standards.
The Australian Government is strengthening its engagement in the Indian Ocean region. The Government appointed The Hon Tim Watts MP as Special Envoy for Indian Ocean Affairs in 2025 to deepen Australia’s engagement with the Indian Ocean region. The Special Envoy has overseen the July 2026 commissioning ceremony for the Australian-gifted Guardian-class patrol boat and attended the inauguration of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in the Maldives; participated in the ceremonial handover of boats to Sri Lanka as part of Australia’s Ditwah recovery package; and represented the Australian Government at the Indian Ocean Rim Association Council of Ministers meeting in May 2025.
In February 2024, Australia hosted the seventh Indian Ocean Conference in Perth, our Indian Ocean capital. This 1.5 track dialogue was attended by one head of state, 17 ministers, secretaries-general and almost 450 delegates from 34 countries. The Foreign Minister, the Assistant Foreign Minister and the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister represented the Government. The Conference demonstrated that Australia is a reliable and cooperative member of the Indian Ocean community. Minister Wong delivered a keynote address on strategic competition, Australia’s commitment to resilience and sovereignty for all Indian Ocean states, and the practical benefits which the Australia-India relationship brings to the region.
The Australian Government established a High Commission in Maldives and Consulate-General in Bengaluru. We are working with regional partners to support their resilience, sovereignty and economic aspirations. We are strengthening our engagement with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), given the importance of regional architecture to tackling shared challenges.
The Australian Government is investing $9.4 million over the four years to 2029-30 to strengthen maritime safety and security capabilities in the Indian Ocean, including maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, information sharing and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Our activities have been delivered directly to northeast Indian Ocean countries, and across the wider Indian Ocean region through Australia’s capacity as Chair of the Maritime Safety and Security Working Group. Through implementing partners (including other Australian Government agencies), DFAT has funded a series of capacity building activities for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and other IORA Member States on UNCLOS, search and rescue, and maritime domain awareness (including bespoke workshops, and leadership and studies programs). We have also supported a range of programs on port state and flag control to improve maritime safety.
Our climate change programs include supporting the IORA Blue Carbon Hub, delivering online professional short courses to IORA Member States on climate change adaptation, supporting the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) Marine and Coastal Resilience Hub, and funding bespoke workshops on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction. We have also supported engagement with the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission to support sustainable fisheries management.