India to soon open embassy in Timor-Leste: MEA Secretary  
National

India to soon open embassy in Timor-Leste: MEA Secretary

Ahead of the first-ever presidential visit from India to Timor-Leste, a top Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official said here on Friday that New Delhi will soon set up an embassy in Dili, which will make the Delhi-Dili connect stronger.

New Delhi | Ahead of the first-ever presidential visit from India to Timor-Leste, a top Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official said here on Friday that New Delhi will soon set up an embassy in Dili, which will make the Delhi-Dili connect stronger.

MEA Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar told reporters here Timor-Leste has also announced its intention to open its embassy in New Delhi.

President Droupadi Murmu will undertake a six-day visit of Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste beginning August 5, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier announced.

She will visit the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on August 10 at the invitation of President Jose Ramos-Horta.

"We have announced the opening of our mission in Timor-Leste, Prime Minister Modi had announced this in September last year. And, we are well on the way to setting up our embassy, and we will be setting it up very soon," Mazumdar said.

Timor-Leste, meanwhile, has also announced its intention to open its embassy in New Delhi, which "we have welcomed warmly," the MEA secretary said.

"So, this will be the 'Delhi-Dili' connect which will only get stronger after the two embassies are opened," he said.

Dili is the capital of Timor-Leste.

India has "strong, deep and historical connect" with Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste, Mazumdar said.

Warm and friendly India-New Zealand ties have seen an uptick in recent years and the president's visit will give it further impetus, the secretary said.

Opposition MPs protest in Parliament complex on Ram temple donation 'theft', police action against students

Hiroshima marks 81st atomic bomb anniversary as mayor deplores pursuit of nuclear weapons

Rajeev Chandrasekhar takes veiled swipe at UPA, hails NDA's development record

Waterlogging, traffic snarls in several parts of Delhi as heavy rain lashes city

Tamil Nadu govt to pursue raising Mullai Periyar dam water level; Kerala strongly protests