ABOUT
Dato Dr Ilango Karuppannan
After 33 years representing Malaysia abroad, he now writes about diplomacy, foreign policy, and the overlooked places, people and histories found along Malaysia’s old roads.
DIPLOMATIC CAREER
Dato’ Dr Ilango Karuppannan served for 33 years in the Malaysian diplomatic service. His overseas appointments included High Commissioner to Singapore, Ambassador to Lebanon and Cyprus, and diplomatic postings in Washington, Bonn and Conakry.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he headed the Policy Planning Division and worked extensively on ASEAN and Malaysian foreign policy. His experience included Malaysia’s 2005 ASEAN chairmanship, the ASEAN Charter process and the establishment of the East Asia Summit.
Since leaving government, he has continued to contribute through research, teaching and public commentary, bringing a practitioner’s perspective to diplomacy, foreign policy and regional affairs.