Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Membership Opens New Dimensions in India–ASEAN Relations: Amb Karlito Nunes

October 15, 2026

New Delhi: The concluding day of the two-day ASEAN–India Defence Think Tank Forum at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi, commenced with a Special Address by H.E. Mr. Karlito Nunes, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The session was chaired by DG MP-IDSA, Amb Sujan R. Chinoy.

In his Address, Amb Nunes described Timor-Leste’s admission as ASEAN’s 11th member as a significant milestone, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to regional unity and inclusivity. He expressed appreciation for India’s support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership and its wider engagement with the country. Highlighting the importance of India–ASEAN relations amid global uncertainty, disruptions to trade and energy security, and vulnerabilities in supply chains, he emphasised the need to diversify partnerships and strengthen trust for deeper regional cooperation.

Underscoring the strategic significance of Timor-Leste’s location between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Amb Nunes highlighted the country’s potential to emerge as a maritime and logistics hub. Reaffirming the shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, he stressed the importance of dialogue, multilateralism, international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Drawing on Timor-Leste’s experience in strengthening relations with Indonesia and resolving maritime boundary issues with Australia under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he underscored dialogue as an essential instrument for fostering peaceful and stable regional relationships.

On India–Timor-Leste relations, Amb Nunes noted that the two countries have maintained friendly ties, with formal diplomatic relations beig established in 2003. The bilateral ties had witnessed enhanced cooperation expanding through capacity-building initiatives under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships, professional exchanges and high-level visits. He highlighted the significance of President Droupadi Murmu’s 2024 visit to Timor-Leste, the first-ever visit by an Indian President, as an important milestone in bilateral engagement.

Identifying considerable scope for strengthening defence cooperation, Amb Nunes highlighted professional military education, training, technology, maritime security, counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) as promising areas of collaboration. Referring to his visit to Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Gandhinagar, he welcomed the participation of Timor-Leste officers in its master’s programmes. He observed that professional military education contributes not only to academic and professional development but also to institutional understanding, enduring professional relationships and strategic trust.

Emphasising that defence cooperation extends beyond equipment and military capabilities, Amb Nunes called for greater collaboration in emerging technologies, cybersecurity, maritime security and professional military education. He noted that India’s experience and Timor-Leste’s growing engagement with ASEAN could provide a strong foundation for a mutually beneficial partnership.

In his Introductory Address, Amb Sujan R. Chinoy, Director General, MP-IDSA, lauded Timor-Leste’s long and significant journey towards its ASEAN membership, observing that its accession opens a new dimension in India–ASEAN relations. He highlighted the growing partnership between India and Timor-Leste, as rooted in mutual respect, common interests and a shared commitment to advancing the aspirations of the Global South.

Describing the India–Timor-Leste partnership as a positive example for regional cooperation in the Global South, Amb Chinoy emphasised that India’s engagement with Timor-Leste has placed particular importance on human resource development and capacity-building. India’s developmental partnership with Timor-Leste spans over healthcare, education, sustainable agriculture and skill development, reflecting a people-centric approach to bilateral cooperation.

The two-day forum has brought together senior policymakers, strategic experts and academics to deliberate on key issues shaping the ASEAN–India defence and security partnership. Discussions covered strategic stability, regional geopolitics, maritime security, grey-zone challenges, HADR, maritime domain awareness, defence technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space, unmanned systems, defence industry collaboration and resilient supply chains.

The forum provided an important platform for exchanging perspectives on emerging regional and global security challenges and exploring avenues for deeper cooperation. Its deliberations are expected to contribute to a stronger, more resilient and forward-looking ASEAN–India defence partnership, anchored on mutual trust, shared interests and a commitment to regional peace and stability.