Australian National University
National Security College
Policy recommendations
POLICY OPTIONS PAPER NO. 20, JUNE 2021
David Brewster
The 2020 Defence Strategic Update identifies the northeast Indian Ocean as an important area for enhanced defence and security engagement. For at least a decade, Australia has rightly concentrated on its partnership with India, but it is now time to broaden that strategy to include other countries in that region. Bangladesh should be an important part of that new focus. An enhanced defence and security relationship with Bangladesh should be part of comprehensive engagement that also tar–gets economic opportunities. Strengthening connections with Bangladesh would also fit well with Australia’s approach to developing a web of relationships with Indo-Pacific middle powers.