Author : Gurjit Singh
Expert Speak: Raisina Debates
Published on Aug 28, 2024
"Timor-Leste's strategic location between the Indian and Pacific Oceans positions it as a vital player in India’s Act East Policy.
The visit by President Droupadi Murmu in August 2024 is the first ever by an Indian dignitary to Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste. This visit underscores India's greater attention to the ASEAN region and its Act East Policy.
Timor is the 11th member of ASEAN, admitted in 2022 as an observer. It will become a member state when it completes the roadmap set for it. Last year, at the India-ASEAN Summit in September, attended by the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, PM Modi announced the opening of an Embassy in Dili. The embassy is likely to open later this year. The presidential visit coupled with the opening of India's resident mission, will add impetus to increase engagement with this small country of under 1.4 million people, with whom India has fledgling development cooperation partnerships."
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https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/the-emergence-of-timor-leste-in-southeast-asia
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