Damien Kingsbury

KOMPAS.com - Indonesia's shift towards more openness has allowed the previously troubled relationship with Australia to stabilise. Australian policy thinkers are now looking at options for longer-term ties.

At a time of unprecedented good relations with Indonesia, Australia is now looking to its future. Indonesia's shift towards a more open democratic framework has allowed the previously troubled relationship to stabilise, but its future remains uncertain, especially over the medium to longer term.

The renewed focus on relations with Indonesia reflects its continuing critical value to Australian foreign policy. It is Australia's largest near neighbour, the world's largest Muslim country, a major regional diplomatic actor, the key transit point for Australian trade, travel and irregular migration, and a growing economic partner.