- Timor-Leste’s journey to full ASEAN membership has been a long one, beginning with its application in 2011 and culminating in its acceptance after meeting all membership criteria.
- The collective acceptance of Timor-Leste as the new member of the ASEAN family demonstrates the grouping’s commitment to regional inclusivity and unity.
- India’s close engagement with ASEAN and its supportive stance toward Timor-Leste highlight New Delhi’s commitment to the region under its Act East Policy.
The 47th ASEAN Summit held on 26th October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, marked a historic moment with the admission of Timor-Leste as the eleventh member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Declaration on Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN was signed by the Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao as well as by leaders of the ASEAN member states.[1] Timor Leste or East Timor’s journey before its final entry into the ASEAN grouping has, however, been a long one, as the country had first applied for membership of ASEAN in the year 2011. The ASEAN countries, however, collectively agreed to accept the country as the organisation’s eleventh member in 2022. Timor Leste then completed to meet the membership criteria and was granted Observer Status in ASEAN meetings before being granted full membership.[2]
The ASEAN organisation was originally founded by Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand in 1967 by signing the ASEAN Declaration on 8th of August 1967.
It was later joined by Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia. The key motive of the grouping is to promote economic, cultural and regional cooperation among its member states. In the present world order, ASEAN is an excellent example of regional integration and has played a vital role in advancing economic cooperation and unity across the Asian region. The collective acceptance of Timor-Leste as the new member of the ASEAN family further demonstrates the grouping’s commitment to regional inclusivity and also reflects the unity among its members.
The strong will and determination of Timor-Leste towards joining ASEAN were also highly appreciated at the Summit. East Timor, located in Southeast Asia, shares many geographical and cultural similarities with other countries of ASEAN. It is a young country and has a small population of about 1.3 billion. Though a small nation, it however has the potential to make a strong regional impact. East Timor gained independence in 2002 and has achieved remarkable development since then. Its membership in the ASEAN grouping signifies regional acceptance for the nation and will open potential opportunities in the field of trade and investment, and allow Timor-Leste access to bigger markets. This will provide the country with considerable development opportunities. However, the nation will also have to face certain challenges with regard to its full integration into the bloc, given the nation’s limited growth and infrastructure.
While India has been closely associated with ASEAN for decades, with Timor-Leste’s entry into the grouping, India will also have to take into consideration newer diplomatic ties with the nation. Over the years, India has shared warm and friendly relations with Timor-Leste and was also one of the first countries to formally recognise its independence in 2002. India’s relations with East Timor are founded on mutual respect, shared democratic values and cooperation in development. India has also supported the country’s education and healthcare initiatives and assisted it with capacity building. The two sides can now further collaborate in terms of economic opportunities as well as in infrastructure development.
India’s Prime Minister, during his address at the Summit, congratulated Timor Leste on becoming the newest ASEAN member and also conveyed India’s support to the nation and announced the extension of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) to Timor-Leste.[3] As the 22nd India-ASEAN Summit was also held alongside the ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN leaders and PM Modi jointly assessed the progress in ASEAN-India relations as well as discussed initiatives for future cooperation.[4] India’s participation, its support to the ASEAN grouping and its deep commitment to the East Asian region through the Act East Policy were highly appreciated by ASEAN.[5]
To conclude, the ASEAN family welcoming a new member will therefore be remembered as a milestone moment as it reflects the grouping’s commitment towards inclusivity and cooperation. The multilateral organisation must now focus on the collective development of the region as well as of individual member states.
References:
- [1] Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “Forging a New Era: Timor-Leste Admitted into ASEAN.” October 26, 2025. https://asean.org/forging-a-new-era-timor-leste-admitted-into-asean/
- [2] Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “Forging a New Era: Timor-Leste Admitted into ASEAN.” October 26, 2025. https://asean.org/forging-a-new-era-timor-leste-admitted-into-asean/
- [3] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Prime Minister’s Participation in the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur.” October 26, 2025. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/40231/Prime+Ministers+participation+in+the+22nd+ASEANIndia+Summit+in+Kuala+Lumpur#:~:text=The%2022nd%20ASEAN%2DIndia%20Summit%20was%20held%20on%2026%20October,strengthening%20the%20Comprehensive%20Strategic%20Partnership.
- [4] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Prime Minister’s Participation in the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur.” October 26, 2025. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/40231/Prime+Ministers+participation+in+the+22nd+ASEANIndia+Summit+in+Kuala+Lumpur#:~:text=The%2022nd%20ASEAN%2DIndia%20Summit%20was%20held%20on%2026%20October,strengthening%20the%20Comprehensive%20Strategic%20Partnership.
- [5] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Prime Minister’s Participation in the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur.” October 26, 2025. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/40231/Prime+Ministers+participation+in+the+22nd+ASEANIndia+Summit+in+Kuala+Lumpur#:~:text=The%2022nd%20ASEAN%2DIndia%20Summit%20was%20held%20on%2026%20October,strengthening%20the%20Comprehensive%20Strategic%20Partnership.
Faareha is a final-year Ph.D. scholar researching India’s Act East Policy, with a keen interest in the Indo-Pacific region and India’s maritime relations with its neighbours. She has previously interned at the Indian Council of World Affairs, a think tank under the MEA, and has worked as a Subject Matter Expert and Script Writer in Social Sciences.
Aayush Pal 
Garima Sharma 
Divyanka Tandon