Indonesia–Timor-Leste Talks Put Australia's Timor Sea Stakes Back in Focus
Jakarta's move to open maritime talks with Timor-Leste could unsettle longstanding Timor Sea arrangements and bring Australia back into boundary negotiations.
In August 2025, Indonesia began negotiations on its maritime boundary with Timor-Leste, representing a notable shift as Jakarta has long insisted that maritime boundaries should only be discussed after land borders are settled.
The decision to engage in maritime boundary negotiations highlights how Southeast Asian states balance historical treaties, economic stakes and evolving legal norms, with outcomes that might directly affect Canberra's position in the Timor Sea.
Unresolved Maritime Segments
- The southern segment in the Timor Sea
- The northern segment in the Ombai and Wetar Straits
- The central enclave segment in the Ombai Strait
The history of maritime boundaries in this region is deeply intertwined with Australia.
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Author's summary: Indonesia-Timor-Leste maritime talks impact Australia's stakes.