Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X: "India remains committed to being a trusted health partner & reliable #FirstResponder to the Global South."

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 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. 

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.