Embassy of India
Dili
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India – Timor Leste : Bilateral Relations 

History: 

India and Timor-Leste (TL) enjoy warm and friendly relations based on shared commitment to the values of democracy, pluralism and diversity. India was one of the early countries to establish diplomatic relations with TL and was represented at its Independence Day celebrations in May 2002 by a high-level delegation led by the then MOS for External Affairs Shri Omar Abdullah. Letters of felicitations from the then President, PM and EAM were handed over on this occasion. An MOU formally establishing diplomatic relations was signed on 24 January 2003. 

Indian diplomats, Ambassador Kamlesh Sharma (till 2004) and Dr. Atul Khare (till 2009), had served as the Special Representative of Secretary General (SRSG) in TL. The Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) of the Indian Mission in New York (Permanent Mission of India to the UN) was a member of the mini mission of the Security Council which visited TL in November 2012 to analyze the ground situation and hear views of all concerned on United Nations Integrated Mission in TL (UNMIT)’s withdrawal and post-UNMIT situation in TL.

TL supports India's permanent membership of the UNSC. This was formally announced by PM Alkatiri in 2003 at the UNGA. TL supported India's candidature for a non-permanent seat during 2011-12, and in 2021-22. TL co-sponsored the Resolution on Yoga in the UNGA.

Resident Missions in India and TL: 

On 7 September 2023, PM Modi announced at the ASEAN-India Summit that India would open a Resident Mission in Timor Leste. Accordingly, on 5 September 2024, the new Indian Embassy was established in Dili, Timor-Leste. Subsequently, Government of Democratic Republic of Timor Leste also established their resident Mission in New Delhi, India in October 2024. 

Economy:

Timor-Leste relies heavily on oil & gas revenues. In June 2005, the National Parliament unanimously approved the creation of a Sovereign Wealth Fund – “the Petroleum Fund” to serve as a repository for all petroleum revenues and to preserve the value of Timor-Leste's petroleum wealth for future generations.  The Bayu Undan oil & gas field which stopped production in early 2023 was the main source of revenue for the country. On the strength of its oil-wealth, the economy had achieved real growth between 5-8% per year for the last several years before COVID-19 pandemic. 

The key challenge facing Timor-Leste in the context of the depleting oil reserves is diversification of economic activity from public to private, and from petroleum into other sectors.

Timor-Leste is recovering from its economic slump caused by COVID-19 and devastating impacts of Cyclone Seroja in 2021. After a rebound of 2.9 percent in 2021, the economy is expected to have grown by 3.0 percent in 2022. GDP per capita has declined since population growth has averaged 1.9 percent annually. A stronger US dollar, the legal tender of Timor-Leste, makes the country’s exports more expensive but imports cheaper.  

The Petroleum Fund balance was at USD 16.9 billion (nearly 10 times 2022 GDP) by the end of September 2022, a decline of nearly USD 1 billion from USD 17.8 billion in Q2 2022. Unless there are inflows from a new hydrocarbon production field or a considerable change in the government’s fiscal policy, the Petroleum Fund balance is expected to be fully depleted by 2034.  Timor-Leste remains at moderate risk of overall and external debt distress beyond the medium term. During the meeting with Minister of State of External Affairs, President of Timor-Leste, had said that Timor-Leste wants to diversify the investment of its sovereign fund and intends to invest in emerging and developing economies such as India. 

India-TL bilateral trade during 2023-24 was US $48.30 million in which major items of exports included agro products, pharmaceuticals, etc.

Important bilateral visits and meetings:

(i) The Vice Minister of Health of TL Mrs Natalia D. Araujo visited Delhi to participate in the International Conference on Traditional Medicine for South East Asian Countries in February 2013. The Minister of Health of TL Dr Sergio G.C. Lobo led a delegation to India in March 2013 and met with the Minister of Health and Family Welfare. Finance Minister of TL Ms Emilia Pires visited India in May 2013 for ADB Governors’ Meeting. 

(ii) EAM met the Foreign Minister of TL in Brunei on the sidelines of ARF Ministerial Meeting in early July 2013. The two Ministers discussed bilateral issues and ways to take the relationship forward. During the meeting, EAM offered to provide a grant in aid of US$ 100,000 to Government of TL (this grant was later utilized to donate an Ambulance to TL). 

(iii) The Vice Minister of Health of TL Dr. Ana Isabel visited India to attend the Pharmexcil’s International Business Meet held in Chennai in July 2015. Joint Secretary of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Mr. Anshu Prakash, accompanied by Director Mr. Amal Push represented India at the WHO Regional Committee Meeting held in Dili in September 2015.

(iv) India, in January 2016, formally handed over GOI-funded Ambulance to TL Health Ministry.

(v) Foreign Minister of TL Mr. Hernani Coelho visited India on 27-29 March 2016 and met with EAM, MOS(VKS) and Minister of Health & Family Welfare. This was the first ever visit by TL Foreign Minister to India. As a follow up, the Vice Foreign Minister of TL Mr. Roberto Sarmento de Oliveira Soares visited India on 4-6 December 2016 and called on MOS (VKS), CIM and Minister of Health and Family Welfare. 

(vi) Mr. Krishan Pal Gurjar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India visited Dili, Timor Leste from 7-10 April 2018 as Special Envoy of the Government of India. During his visit, Hon’ble Minister called on the President of Timor Leste H.E. Dr. Francisco Guterres Lu Olo. The Hon’ble Minister extended an invitation from the President of India to the President of Timor Leste to visit India at an early date.  The President of Timor Leste accepted the invitation and said that it is an honour for the country and people of Timor Leste to receive the invitation. The Hon’ble Minister also called on the Prime Minister of Timor Leste H.E. Dr. Mari Bin Amude Alkatiri, and met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation H.E. Prof. Dr. Aurelio Guterres and Minister of Justice H.E. Ms. Maria Angela Guterres Viegas Carrascalao. The Minister also had the opportunity to interact with the Minister of Tourism H.E. Mr. Manuel Vone and Minister of Education and Culture H.E. Prof. Dr. Fernando Hanjam.  

The Hon’ble Minister briefed the Timor Leste leadership on the successful holding of the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Summit in New Delhi in March 2018 and invited Timor Leste, which is one of the prospective member countries of ISA, to join the Alliance.  

During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of health care and public health was signed between the two countries. The Hon’ble Minister concluded his visit by delivering a public lecture at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation on the theme “Indian Foreign Policy and Modinomics”.  The lecture was attended by civil servants, diplomatic community and the local media.

(vii)   MOS (VKS) met former Foreign Minister of Timor Leste, H.E. Mr Dionisio da Costa Babo Soares on 2-8-2018 on the margins of EAS FM’s meeting in Singapore. FMAS confirmed acceptance of the invitation extended by Rashtrapatiji through MOS Krishna Pal Gurjar in April 2018 during latter’s visit to TL and added that the President of TL would visit India the same year. Welcoming the visit, MOS (VKS) offered to expand areas of cooperation, including oil and gas sector, agriculture, health, defence, IT as well as in capacity building and skill enhancement.  Later, EAM met with Timor-Leste FM in Bangkok on the sidelines of EAS Summit on 2nd August, 2019 and reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations. 

(viii)  Flagging off of two projects funded by India, one through the India – UN Development Partnership Fund and other through IBSA :  The project on setting up of IT innovation labs in Oecussi Enclave of Timor-Leste was launched jointly by Ambassador, UNDP and Oé-cusse Administration on 10 April, 2019 with funding from India-UN Development Partnership Fund. Other project was inauguration of Sustainable Agriculture & Permaculture Learning Centre on 11 April, 2019 at Atecru, Atauro Island, financed by IBSA Fund. Both the projects empower different parts of Timor Leste, one in Oecussi Enclave in the field of education and other in Atauro Island through enabling sustainable living of local communities.  

(ix) In November 2019, Xanana Gusmao, Chief Negotiator of Maritine Boundaries and Special Representative of Timor-Leste (Mr Gusmao later took oath of office as Prime Minister on 01 July 2023), led a delegation to New Delhi and had detailed discussions with Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, seeking investments in oil and gas sector of Timor-Leste, with particular reference to the Greater Sunrise Project.   Later, from 10-13 December, 2019 a three member delegation, comprising OVL, OIL and EIL, visited Timor-Leste and had discussions with officials of the national oil company - Timor Gap and State Regulatory Body, Autoridade national Do Petroleo Meneral to explore opportunities in upstream sector of Greater Sunrise Project and integration with setting up of LNG Plant. The projected multi-billion-dollar Greater Sunrise development project (gas & condensate fields) on the maritime boundary between Timor-Leste and Australia has been stalled for decades amid disputes on whether the gas should be processed into liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Timor-Leste or Australia. The development of the Greater Sunrise field is critical to Timor-Leste’s economy as its main source of revenue - the Bayu Undan oil and gas field - stopped producing gas earlier this year. In February 2023, the partners in the Sunrise Joint Venture, which includes majority owner Timor Gap (57%), operator Woodside (Australia based, 33% ownership) and the Australian arm of Osaka Gas (10% ownership), formally committed to working rapidly to pick the best option for developing the field, factoring in for the first time the potential benefits for East Timor.

(x) Vice Minister of Trade and Industry of Timor-Leste Mr. Domingos Lopes Antunes virtually participated in the VOGSS (Voice of Global South Summit) on 13 January 2023. In his remarks, the Vice Minister expressed gratitude to the Government of India for organizing the Summit and inviting Timor-Leste to participate.  He called for trade integration and an enabling business and investment environment as an effort to contribute to economic  growth that  is sustainable, inclusive, and resilient despite prevailing global economic challenges and complexity. He also added that as a young and Least Developed Country, Timor-Leste had to make efforts in building key social and economic infrastructure including health, education, roads, airports, connectivity, among others to lay the foundations for socio-economic growth.

(xi) Chief of Defence Force (CDF) of Timor-Leste led a delegation to India for Aero India Show in February 2023 along with Senior Adviser to Defence Minister. During the visit, they held discussions with MoD on a proposed MoU for institutionalizing the defence engagement. A Draft MOU has been shared by the Timorese side and it is under consideration with MoD. The CDF and Adviser met with Indian CDS, CNS and Special Secretary, MoD during the event. They were also introduced to products from BEL and other industries which are now being followed up by our Mission.

(xii) Minister of State of External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh (MoS) paid an official visit to Timor-Leste from September 30-October 2, 2023, the first ministerial-level visit from India to Timor-Leste since 2018.

During the visit, MoS called on President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation in the fields of health, agriculture, trade, hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals, education and capacity building. He also held talks with Foreign Minister Mr. Bendito Dos Santos Freitas, and Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Filipus Nino Pereira and discussed how both countries can add momentum to bilateral cooperation, development partnership and capacity building.

MOS also attended a detailed briefing on the health sector of the country at the WHO resident office in Dili. He also interacted with members of the Indian community and Indian professionals working in international organisations in Timor-Leste.

(xiii) Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Dr. Elias Antonio de Araujo dos Reis Amaral along with a 5-member delegation, visited India to participate in the 76th meeting of WHO Regional Committee held from 30 October to 2 November 2023 in New Delhi. The WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia is the WHO’s governing body in the South-East Asia Region. It has representatives from all its 11 Member States Bangladesh, Bhutan, North Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste. The Regional Committee meets annually to review progress in health development in the Region, formulate resolutions on health issues for Member States, and review past resolutions. It also adopts resolutions and makes decisions that guide the work of the Regional Office and country offices for the coming year.

(xiv) The 2nd Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS 2.0) Foreign Ministers’ session was held in virtual format on 17 November 2023.   Mr. Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste participated in the Foreign Ministers’ Session of VOGSS 2.0.

(xv) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the President of Timor-Leste in Gandhinagar on January 09, 2024. He held a bilateral meeting with José Ramos-Horta on the sidelines of 10th Vibrant Gujarat Summit. PM Modi inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The theme of the summit was ‘Gateway to the Future’ to celebrate “20 Years of Vibrant Gujarat as the Summit of Success”. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit was started in 2003 under the then CM of Gujarat Narendra Modi.

(xvi) India hosted the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit on 17 August 2024 with the overarching theme of "An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future”. This unique initiative began as an extension of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas’. It envisaged bringing together countries of the Global South to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform across a whole range of issues such as conflicts, food and energy security crises, climate change - all of which disproportionately affect developing countries in a severe manner. H.E. Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste was among the leaders who took part in the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit 2024 on 17th August 2024.

(xvii) Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, visited Timor-Leste on the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to this country on 10-11 August 2024. During her visit, she met President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. Both leaders discussed opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation between India and Timor-Leste on wide-ranging topics. President Horta conferred the highest civilian award of Timor Leste ‘Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste’ upon Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji. India and Timor-Leste signed three MoUs on: (i) Cultural Exchange Program for the years 2024-2028, (ii) Collaboration between Prasar Bharati and ‘Timor-Leste Radio & Television’ (RTTL), & (iii) Exemption from visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, official and service passports.

(xviii)   Navy Component Commander of Timor Leste led a delegation to India to attend Aero India 2025, from 10-13 Feb 2025 at Bengaluru. On the sidelines of the event, bilateral meeting was held between Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti and Navy Component Commander, Cmde Higino das Neves.

Cultural cooperation

(i) A 12-member cultural group (“Fundacao Cultural Le-Ziaval”) from Timor-Leste visited India to participate in the Lusophone Cultural Week held in Goa from 04-06 Dec. 2022. This was first such participation by a Timorese Cultural troupe in an Indian event. The visit was sponsored by the Government of India, as part of India’s commitment to the objectives of CPLP (Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries) which India joined in July 2021. 

(ii) Another team of 17-members consisting cultural artistes and artisans visited India from 02-20 February 2023 to participate in Surajkund Mela 2023. The group also visited Dilli Haat in Delhi for an exposure on the making and marketing of handicrafts. Government of India bore the cost of airfare as well as local hospitality for the visit.

(iii) A Goan Folk Group, under ICCR programme, visited Dili from 17-18 February 2023. The event was attended by more than 150 people including senior Officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and other Timorese Ministries, Members of diplomatic corps and international agencies, Members of Indian community and friends of India. This was the first event of its kind in Timor-Leste in recent past. A workshop was also arranged for the Goan folk group at UNPAZ (Universidade da Paz) at Dili on February 17 which was attended by the vice rector, head of the department and more than 100 students of UNPAZ.

Capacity Building and Development Cooperation

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in January 2003, India and TL have been cooperating at bilateral, regional and international levels. India has been offering economic, technical and capacity building assistance to TL through the following projects:

(i) Capacity Building: India extends 15 ITEC training slots and 10 ICCR scholarships every year to Timor-Leste. Since 2007, 18 Timorese candidates have benefited from these trainings. Between 2011-2020, 11 Timorese armed forces personnel (07 from Army and 04 from Navy) have undergone ITEC-I training in India.

(ii) Grant in Aid: GOI approved a Grant in Aid to TL in October 2008 for infrastructure projects. An amount of US$ 100,000 was transferred by the Mission to TL in March 2010. 

(iii) Cooperation in Health Sector and supply of Ambulance: A fully-equipped Ambulance unit which can serve as a mobile operation theatre was formally handed over to the Health Ministry of TL in January 2016. The Ambulance was funded by MEA at a cost of US$ 70,620/. Additional equipment for the Ambulance – Anesthesia Machine and Patient Monitor – were supplied to Timor Leste in July 2017.  An MOU in the field of healthcare and public health was signed between India and Timor Leste on 7 April 2018 during the visit of Hon’ble MOS for Social Justice and Empowerment to Dili.

(iv) Bamboo Project: The project “Establishment of Bamboo Skills Development and Demonstration Centre in TL” was initially started by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in October 2004. The project with a combined budget of US$ 1 million was completed in March 2012. The Indian technical partner was Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC) in Assam. The objective of this project was to establish bamboo as thriving industry sector in TL. A skills development centre was also established in order to create awareness of the potential and to train craftsmen.

(v) Project under IBSA Fund: The project, “Conservation Agriculture, Permaculture and Sustainable Fisheries Management: Enhancing Food and Nutrition Security and Reducing Risk Disaster” in TL was funded by IBSA for a total cost of US $ 1.4 million. The project was developed by FAO in TL along with 2 NGOs - “naTerra’ and “Conservation International” - under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of TL, was implemented in the remote part of the Atauro Island of Timor-Leste. As a part of the project, Sustainable Agriculture & Permaculture Learning Centre was formally inaugurated by Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries and Ambassador of India to Indonesia on 11 April, 2019 at Atecru, in Atauro Island. The Centre serves as a learning centre for sustainable agriculture and natural resources conservation and development, thereby enhancing productivity in agricultural, horticultural and fisheries sector of the Island.

(vi) Project under India–UN Development Partnership Fund : The project titled, “Leveraging ICT to improve Education and Skills in Timor Leste” was launched on a pilot basis on 10 April, 2019 in Oécusse Enclave of Timor-Leste by Dr Mari Alkatiri, President of Special Administrative Region of Oécusse and Special Zones for Social Market Economy of Timor-Leste, Mr Roy Trivedy, Resident Coordinator of UN and Ambassador of India to Indonesia on 10th April, 2019. The project aims at enhancing IT literacy in schools, with a coverage of 12 schools, both through IT innovation labs and mobile IT innovation vans.

(vii) Government of India extended humanitarian assistance in the form of 2000MT of rice to Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, in the aftermath of Cyclone Seroja which caused widespread destruction in the country. The consignment of 2000 MT of rice was officially handed over to Timorese Government by Ambassador of India to Indonesia in May 2022.

(viii) 12 diplomats from Timor-Leste attended the 1st Special Course for diplomats from Timor Leste organized by Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) from 20-29 September 2023. The Special Course was inaugurated on 20 September 2023 by Shri Gaddam Dharmendra, Dean (SSIFS). Bilateral relations between India and Timor Leste are expanding in a wide range of areas including health, education, Information Technology, culture and development partnership. The Special Course included modules on global issues, bilateral relations, India’s Foreign Policy, Overview of India’s e-Governance platforms, Climate Change and LiFE, development partnership & cooperation, and Holistic Healthcare with a focus on Ayurveda and Yoga. The participating diplomats visited the International Solar Alliance Secretariat, the All India Institute for Ayurveda, the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Confederation of Indian Industry, Pradhanmantri Sanghralaya and National Museum.

Bilateral Trade

India-TL bilateral trade during 2021-22 was US $ 35.49 million in which major items of exports included agro products, pharmaceuticals, rubber, salt etc. Imports from TL in the past essentially consisted of chemical products. Volume of bilateral trade since 2014-15 is also given below:

 (in US$ million)  

        (in US$ million)  

(Source: Department of Commerce, India)

India has extended duty free access to import of products from TL as part of its Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme for LDCs. The Scheme grants tariff preferences to export of products originating in TL.

Defence Cooperation

There has been intensive engagement with MoD and Armed Forces of Timor-Leste. Following Defence Attache interactions with the CDF, Vice CDF, Adviser to Defence Minister and other Timorese officials fresh ITEC Training slots have been created for the Armed Forces Personnel and these are under consideration in the search for suitable candidates. The CDF of TL was briefed by the Mission during his visit to Jakarta in Dec 2022 and gave extensive presentations about the Indian defence industry and concepts of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India, Make for the World'. Based on this, the CDF led a delegation to India for Aero India in Feb 2023 along with Senior Adviser to Defence Minister who pursued the dialogue for considering an MoU between both MoD for institutionalizing defence engagement in the future. The CDF and Adviser met with Indian CDS, CNS and Spl Secy MoD during the event and also attended all engagements like the SPEED DM Conclave and Bandhan event. They were also introduced to products from BEL and other industries.  

Navy Component Commander of Timor Leste led a delegation to India to attend Aero India 2025, from 10-13 Feb 2025 at Bengaluru. On the sidelines of the event, bilateral meeting was held between Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti and Navy Component Commander, Cmde Higino das Neves.

Indian Community in Timor-Leste : 

About 70 Indians are working as advisors in various Ministries, UN agencies and international donors in Timor-Leste. Some Indians are entrepreneurs and are engaged in trading and restaurant business. Medical students from India numbering around 179 have arrived in Timor Leste during the last few months for study of MBBS. 

The Indian community in Timor Leste has formed a friendship society called ‘Association of Indians in Timor Leste’ in February 2017. 

Internal

(i) Timor Leste headed to the polls on 21st May, 2023 in a parliamentary election which was the country’s fifth parliamentary election since Timor Leste gained full independence in 2002 following decades-long occupation by Indonesia. A total of 17 parties participated in the election. Timor-Leste has 890,000 registered voters. The election was expected to mainly be a showdown between the two largest parties. The National Congress for the Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), led by independence hero Xanana Gusmao, and FRETILIN, led by resistance figure Mari Alkatiri.  Dr Alkatiri stated that he would seek to renegotiate the agreement Xanana Gusmao signed with Australia, if elected. Also expressed his intention for the greater Sunrise negotiations as the Greater Sunrise project is seen an important issue for Timor-Leste, which is facing the threat of an economic crisis as existing oil revenues decline. Xanana Gusmao expressed his determination to see oil and gas processed in Timor-Leste and to convince Australian energy company and project partner Woodside Energy that it is commercially and logistically feasible.

(ii) The party of East Timor independence hero Xanana Gusmão won most votes in a parliamentary election. The preliminary results in state media showed boosting his chances of his return as premier. Gusmão's National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) won about 42% of ballots cast with 100% of the votes counted, according to Radio-Televisão Timor Leste. The Revolution Front for an Independent Timor-Leste (FRETILIN), the party of Prime Minister José Maria Vasconcelos, popularly known as Taur Matan Ruak, was second with about 26% of the votes, with the rest split among 15 parties.

(iii) The New Timorese Prime Minister took oath of his office on 1 July 2023. The opposition National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) won the parliamentary election held on 21 May 2023. The party's leader, Xanana Gusmão, took the oath of the office of Prime Minister of Timor-Leste on 1 July 2023. The official ceremony of oath taking was attended by several heads of resident/non-resident Missions. The then Cd’A of Embassy of India, Indonesia, Mr. Basir Ahmed attended the ceremony. The new government has the backing of the president, José Ramos-Horta, who is also affiliated with the CNRT.

(iv) Mr. Xanana Gusmao, a Timorese politician affiliated to CNRT is a former rebel who played an important role in independence of the country. He served as the (first) President of Timor-Lerste from 20 May 2002 to 20 May 2007 after Timor-Leste’s independence. He has also been the Prime Minister of the country from 2007 to 2015.

(v) Questions have been raised about the slow process of vote counting and the delayed publication of the results, which took more than 35 hours after polls closed – longer than in previous elections. More than two decades after independence, Timor-Leste is still struggling with poverty, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating natural disasters, including a 2021 cyclone that killed at least 40 people. The former Portuguese colony's budget is heavily dependent on oil revenues. The new Government, under the leadership of Mr. Gusmao, will need to decide on allowing the development of the Greater Sunrise project, which aims to tap trillions of cubic feet of natural gas. “

As of  04 June 2025