NEW DELHI: The Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste celebrated the 24th Anniversary of the country’s Restoration of Independence Day here for the first time on Wednesday. Eventhough, India was the second country that recognised Timor Leste after it got Independence in 2002, both countries opened embassies only recently — India in September 2024 in Dili and Timor Leste in Delhi next month.
Chief Guest Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, extending heartfelt congratulations to the people and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, reiterated the historical ties of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation between the two nations.
Antónito de Araujo, representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, participated in the celebration as Special Guest. Ambassadors and Heads of Mission of several countries and specialised international organizations attended. Students from Mount Abu Public School enthralled the audience with a mesmerising cultural performance.
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Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Karlito Nunes invited Indian investors to explore opportunities in priority sectors such as agriculture, education, health, petrochemicals, and real estate, thereby contributing to the country’s shared vision of sustainable growth through international cooperation.
He said the Restoration of Independence Day commemorated the country’s independence on 20 May 2002. It served as a reminder of the country’s struggle for independence and as a celebration of its sovereignty, freedom, and nationhood.
“Timor-Leste’s path to independence was strongly supported by multilateralism and the international system, particularly through the United Nations that played a vital role in the country’s transition to independence, with several missions serving in Timor-Leste from 1999 to 2012.
“These missions included the establishment of the United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET), the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), and the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), which provided administrative and security assistance to Timor-Leste until operational responsibilities were gradually transferred to local authorities.
“Subsequently, the United Nations Office in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL) and the final mission, the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), continued to support stability, national reconciliation, and democratic governance in Timor-Leste. During this period, an Indian diplomat Atul Khare served as the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Timor-Leste,” he said.
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“Timor-Leste is considered one of the success stories of United Nations involvement in realizing the principle of the right to self-determination and transition to full independence. Our experience in carrying out the reconciliation process with Indonesia illustrates the importance of dialogue and reconciliation in restoring good relations and cooperation, despite the pain and tragedies experienced by both sides in the past.
“Timor-Leste remains a firm believer in multilateralism, international law, and the Charter of the United Nations, as well as in the peaceful settlement of differences among States. We demonstrated this through the 1999 Referendum, and the 2018 Permanent Maritime Boundary Treaty with Australia stands as a clear example of the effectiveness of international mechanisms in achieving peaceful and mutually beneficial resolutions to disputes,” Karlito added.
On India-Timor Leste relations, he said “Our ties date back nearly 500 years, when Indian merchants travelled to the island of Timor to trade in sandalwood. These early connections were particularly evident between Goa and Timor-Leste, then known as Portuguese Timor under Portuguese administration, reflecting centuries-old people-to-people and commercial exchanges.
“India was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Timor-Leste and was represented at the first Restoration of Independence Day celebrations in 20th May 2002 in Dili by a high-level delegation led by the then Minister of State for External Affairs, Omar Abdullah. Subsequently, both countries formally established diplomatic relations in 2003.”
“Timor-Leste and India have built a cordial and expanding partnership founded on shared values of democracy, pluralism, human rights, and the rule of law. Bilateral cooperation has deepened across defence, education, health, agriculture, and cultural exchanges. Key milestones include the historic State Visit of the President of India, Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu, to Timor-Leste in August 2024 — the first-ever visit by an Indian President to the country — as well as the reciprocal opening of resident embassies in Dili in September 2024 and New Delhi in October 2024.
“Both sides also signed agreements on visa waivers for diplomatic and service passport holders, cultural exchange programmes, and media cooperation between RTTL and Prasar Bharati. On that occasion, the President of Timor-Leste conferred the country’s highest honour, the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, upon President Droupadi Murmu,” the envoy continued.
In January 2024, President José Ramos-Horta participated in the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, where he met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the meeting, both leaders discussed cooperation in information technology, health, education, and capacity-building.
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Several high-level exchanges between the two countries have also taken place. In November 2019, Mr. Xanana Gusmão, Chief Negotiator of Maritime Boundaries and Special Representative of Timor-Leste, led a delegation to New Delhi and held discussions with Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, seeking investment in the oil and gas sector of Timor-Leste, particularly in relation to the Greater Sunrise Project. In response, delegations from three Indian oil companies visited Timor-Leste and held discussions with officials of the national oil company, Timor Gap.
Highlighting some of Timor-Leste and India’s commitments at the bilateral level, he mentioned Health Assistance of US$100,000 in 2013 and the supply of rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin in 2025.
On education, he said both countries continue to collaborate closely by people-to-people exchanges. He also said around 600 Indian students are pursuing the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme in his country. Cultural Cooperation and Capacity Building and Development Cooperation are also there.
From 2023 to the first quarter of 2026, India offered professional training courses to 27 diplomats from Timor-Leste at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service.
From January to May 2026, the Government of India provided training, technical expertise, and professional development in various fields to 58 participants from different ministries of Timor-Leste under the (ITEC) Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme.
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Bilateral trade has also witnessed steady growth. In 2024 it amounted to US$ 48.30 million. Major exports included agro-products, pharmaceuticals, and related goods.
“I warmly encourage Indian investors to explore opportunities in priority sectors such as agriculture, education, health, petrochemicals, and real estate, thereby contributing to our shared vision of sustainable growth through international cooperation,” he said.
In multilateral, and regional fora, Timor-Leste supports India’s permanent membership in the UNSC. This was formally announced in 2003 at the UNGA. Timor-Leste has supported India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council whenever India presented its candidature. Timor-Leste also co-sponsored the UNGA resolution on Yoga in 2014.
He thanked the Government of India for the support extended to Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.