New Delhi, Nov 3 (NationPress) India has sent a vital shipment of 10,000 doses of rabies vaccine and 2,000 vials of rabies immunoglobulin to Timor Leste, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India's dedication to being a reliable health partner and a prompt 'First Responder' to nations within the Global South.

"India has urgently dispatched 10,000 doses of rabies vaccine and 2,000 vials of rabies immunoglobulin to Timor Leste to help tackle an outbreak. India is steadfast in its role as a trusted health partner and a dependable First Responder to the Global South," Jaiswal stated in a post on X.

It is significant to note that India and Timor-Leste share a strong and friendly relationship, grounded in mutual respect for democracy, pluralism, and diversity. India was among the first nations to establish diplomatic ties with Timor-Leste and was represented at its Independence Day celebrations in May 2002 by a high-ranking delegation led by the then-Minister of State for External Affairs, Omar Abdullah.

Recently, Timor-Leste became the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the 47th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Timor-Leste submitted its application for ASEAN membership in 2011. In 2022, ASEAN’s leaders agreed in principle to welcome Timor-Leste as a member state, granting it Observer Status in ASEAN meetings. This was followed by the endorsement of a roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in 2023, which guided the country in fulfilling ASEAN’s membership requirements, including adopting ASEAN legal instruments and participating in meetings across all three ASEAN Community pillars.

ASEAN noted in a statement, "In a landmark moment for the region, the Signing of the Declaration on Timor-Leste's Admission into ASEAN took place during the Opening Ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits on October 26, 2025. The Declaration was signed by ASEAN Leaders alongside the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, signifying ASEAN Leaders’ agreement to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th Member State of ASEAN. This milestone is a testament to years of collaboration between ASEAN and Timor-Leste."

Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao participated in the document signing alongside ASEAN leaders, culminating in a group photograph. This marks the first expansion of the group since 1999.

Earlier in July, Timor-Leste's Ambassador to India, Karlito Nunes, presented his Letters of credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Following the credential ceremony, President Murmu welcomed Nunes and congratulated him on his new role as Timor-Leste's Ambassador to India.

President Murmu acknowledged Timor-Leste’s expression of solidarity with India in the wake of the tragic April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. She also affirmed that India and Timor-Leste have numerous opportunities to enhance bilateral cooperation in sectors such as IT, fintech, healthcare, agriculture, and capacity building. President Murmu reassured that India will remain a steadfast partner of Timor-Leste and will strive to advance development cooperation and other partnerships.

In response, Karlito Nunes extended warm regards from Timor-Leste's President J Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, and the citizens of Timor-Leste to President Murmu, the Government, and the people of India. He reiterated Timor-Leste's firm condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and expressed unwavering support for India's global efforts against terrorism.

Supporting India's bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, the Timor-Leste envoy also reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to fortifying bilateral relations.