(AseanAll) — Timor-Leste President and Nobel Peace Laureate, J. Ramos-Horta received the Letter of Credence of Mr. Madan Kumar Ghildiyal, as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The official ceremony was held at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace on April 8, 2025.
Ambassador Ghildiyal is a career diplomat who joined the Indian Foreign Services in 1990. Prior to his appointment to Timor-Leste, he served as Consul (Political, Commerce and Community Affairs) at the Consulate General of India in Atlanta. His previous diplomatic assignments include Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs handled Administration and Pension matters, First Secretary at the Embassy of India in Jakarta handled Information Wing and Political Affairs and Consul at the Consulate General of India in Jeddah managed commercial matters.
“I am pleased to welcome Ambassador Ghildiyal as India’s representative to Timor-Leste. The Dili-Delhi connection is vital for our nation’s development and regional integration. I am confident that under Ambassador Ghildiyal’s leadership, the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our countries will reach new heights that benefiting both our peoples.” Stated Ramos-Horta.
Timor-Leste and India have maintained robust bilateral relations since establishing diplomatic ties on January 24, 2003, collaborating across defense, education, health, agriculture, and cultural sectors. The relationship strengthened significantly in 2024, marked by President Ramos-Horta’s participation in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January, where President met with Prime Minister Modi to discuss cooperation in petroleum, gas, digitalization, and educational exchanges. This diplomatic momentum continued with the historic first state visit by India’s President to Timor-Leste in August 2024, followed by both nations establishing permanent diplomatic missions—Timor-Leste opening its embassy in New Delhi in October 2024 and India establishing its embassy in Dili on September 2024—demonstrating their mutual commitment to deepening bilateral relations and supporting Timor-Leste’s engagement with ASEAN.
Timor-Leste looks forward to continued robust cooperation with the Republic of India under Ambassador Ghildiyal’s leadership.
Ramos-Horta is confident that the appointment of Ambassador Madan Kumar Ghildiyal will further elevate and strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, making the Dili-Delhi connection even stronger.
