South and Central Asia (SXD)

The Australia India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, announced in 2020, underpins our relationship, and our connections continue to grow and expand as both countries invest in its future.

Australia is promoting broader stability and cohesion in South Asia through our work on regional cooperation and building people-to-people linkages. The regional South Asia Water Security Initiative (SAWASI) focuses on building health security and stability through providing access to safe and reliable water.

Australia is supporting partner countries’ health systems to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic via multilateral organisations, the United Nations system and NGOs.

Australia's bilateral relationship with Bangladesh continues to grow. Two-way trade exceeded $2.3 billion in 2016-17 on the back of sustained growth in the Bangladesh economy. 

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is an inter-governmental organisation formed in 1997 to foster regional economic cooperation. IORA has evolved into the peak regional group spanning the Indian Ocean.

Uzbekistan is the most populous of the Central Asian republics, with a population of 30.8 million people. Uzbekistan's population has a high youth dividend: the median age is around 27 years and over a quarter of the population is under 14.

Australia and Sri Lanka share a history of cooperation in trade and investment, education, sport, culture and development. In 2022, Australia and Sri Lanka celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations.

Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia bordered by India and China. It has a population of 30 million and contains eight of the world's ten highest peaks, including Mount Everest the highest mountain in the world. Kathmandu is its capital and largest city.

Australia and Maldives share a commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean region. We established bilateral relations in 1974 and in 2024 mark 50 years of diplomatic ties. Australia opened its High Commission in Malé in 2023. 

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