President of Timor-Leste Visits India – Strengthening Bilateral Ties

The President of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Dr. José Ramos-Horta, paid an official visit to India from January 8–10, 2024, to attend the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit held in Gandhinagar. This historic visit marked the first-ever Head of Government-level engagement between the two nations. During his stay, President Horta met with Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. In their discussions, President Horta expressed appreciation for India’s longstanding friendship and sought India’s support in strengthening Timor-Leste’s development goals, especially in key sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, IT, and agriculture.

The meeting also covered broader regional dynamics, including developments in the Indo-Pacific. President Horta voiced his full support for India’s bid for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council. Both leaders emphasized the need for continued collaboration in multilateral forums and appreciated the importance of presenting a unified voice for the Global South. Prime Minister Modi, in turn, acknowledged Timor-Leste’s active engagement in both editions of the Voice of Global South Summit.

This visit further deepened the bond between India and Timor-Leste—an alliance founded on shared democratic values, inclusivity, and mutual respect. India’s early recognition of Timor-Leste’s independence in 2002 and the establishment of diplomatic relations laid a strong foundation for this growing partnership.