This article covers cultural exchanges between India and Timor-Leste, scholarships and youth and media programmes, and the Indian community living in Timor-Leste. It is based on the MEA brief of July 2026, and community figures are given as of that date.

Framework for cultural exchange

During the President of India's visit in August 2024, the two countries agreed a Cultural Exchange Program covering 2024 to 2028 and an MoU on collaboration between Prasar Bharati and Timor-Leste Radio & Television (RTTL). At the United Nations, Timor-Leste co-sponsored the Resolution on Yoga in the UN General Assembly.

Cultural troupes and events

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, a 12-member cultural group from Timor-Leste, "Fundacao Cultural Le-Ziaval", visited India to take part in the Lusophone Cultural Week held in Goa from 4 to 6 December 2022. The brief records this as the first such participation by a Timorese cultural troupe in an Indian event. The Government of India sponsored the visit as part of its commitment to the objectives of the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries), which India joined in July 2021.

A second team of 17 members, made up of cultural artistes and artisans, visited India from 2 to 20 February 2023 to take part in the Surajkund Mela 2023. The group also visited Dilli Haat in Delhi for exposure to the making and marketing of handicrafts. The Government of India bore the cost of airfare and local hospitality for the visit.

In the other direction, a Goan Folk Group visited Dili on 17-18 February 2023 under an ICCR programme. The event was attended by more than 150 people, including senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and other Timorese ministries, members of the diplomatic corps and international agencies, members of the Indian community and friends of India. The brief describes it as the first event of its kind in Timor-Leste in the recent past.

On 17 February 2023, a workshop was also arranged for the Goan folk group at UNPAZ (Universidade da Paz) in Dili. It was attended by the vice rector, the head of the department and more than 100 students of the university.

Scholarships and study

India extends 2 ICCR scholarships every year to Timor-Leste, in addition to its ITEC training slots. The brief does not give the number of Timorese students currently in India on these scholarships.

Indian students also study in Timor-Leste. The brief states that approximately 450 Indian students are studying in local universities there, and that some Indians are part of the faculty at these universities.

Youth and media exchanges

In line with India's capacity-building assistance, the Indian Mission facilitated the participation of three young Timorese delegates in the 5th ASEAN-India Youth Summit, held in Goa from 28 to 31 August 2025.

A young diplomat from Timor-Leste took part in the 3rd Global South Young Diplomats Forum (GSYDF), organised by the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) in New Delhi from 8 to 19 September 2025. A journalist from the Timor-Post, a local newspaper, was sent to India for a Media Familiarization visit.

Timorese university students also train in India. Two students from the National University of Timor Leste are undergoing ITEC training in Cloud Computing at C-DAC from 22 July 2026 to 4 August 2026.

The Indian community in Timor-Leste

According to the brief, there are approximately 560 Indian nationals residing in Timor-Leste as of July 2026. This figure includes the Indian students mentioned above.

Indians in Timor-Leste work as advisors in various ministries, UN agencies and international donor organisations. Some are entrepreneurs engaged in trading and the restaurant business.

The community formed a friendship society, the "Association of Indians in Timor Leste", in February 2017. During his official visit in 2023, the Minister of State for External Affairs interacted with members of the Indian community and Indian professionals working in international organisations in Timor-Leste.