Australia begins to step it up in the northeast Indian Ocean

Australias focus on building the India relationship has led to the relative neglect of other important Indian Ocean states. This has left a hole in its Indo Pacific strategy. Last month, Foreign Minister Marise Payne announced a raft of new Australian initiatives in the northeast Indian Ocean as a move towards Australias enhanced engagement in that region. It may not yet be an Indian Ocean Step-up, but at least its a move in the right direction.