Australia’s ambassador has returned to Jakarta in a move to restore relations with Indonesia in the wake of the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

Paul Grigson returned to the Indonesian capital on Monday, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told AAP on Tuesday.

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Mr Grigson was the first Australian ambassador to Indonesia ever to be recalled, underlining the government’s concern about what Prime Minister Tony Abbott described as the “cruel and unnecessary” executions.

Mr Abbott also suspended ministerial visits over the executions.

But it is not known when the top-level visits will resume.

In recent weeks Mr Grigson has been involved in talks with the government on how to restore Indonesia-Australia relations, which have also been rocked by the policy of turning back asylum seeker boats.

Foreign policy analysts have suggested a good next step would be for Australia to set up a maritime security information centre in Jakarta and enter a new agreement on military and civilian agency ties.

Meanwhile, Indonesia will send its ambassador rather than a minister to regional counter-terrorism talks in Australia amid continued tensions after the Bali Nine executions.

Six countries, including Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam and New Zealand will be represented by ministers at the two-day summit, to be launched by Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Sydney on Thursday.

But, despite being one of Australia’s key regional partners in tackling extremism, Indonesia won’t be sending a minister and will instead send its ambassador to Australia Nadjib Riphat Kesoema.

-AAP