Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh’s four-day visit to Dili comes as India progresses plans to open a resident Mission in Dili that would forge stronger relations with Timor-Leste.

India announced its intention to open an embassy in Dili at the Association of Southeast Asian Network-India Summit on 7 September 2023.

Addressing a media conference on Monday, Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao said that Singh’s visit to Timor-Leste was important because he clarified areas for bilateral support.

“...this visit expressed the full willingness of the Government of India to help Timor-Leste in wide range of areas including providing relevant training program for Timorese to join ASEAN,” said Prime Minister Gusmao, adding that India’s training would focus on health and diplomacy.

During the visit minister Singh also met with some United Nations agencies and interacted with members of Indian community, taking part in Gandhi Jayanti celebrations, said a Minister of external Affairs statement.