Biren Nanda appointed Ambassador to Timor Leste

New Delhi, Jul 11 (UNI) Mr Biren Nanda, Ambassador to Indonesia, has been concurrently accredited as envoy to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, formerly Indonesian colony of East Timor.

He will continue to have a residence in Jakarta (Indonesia).

In other appointments announced by the External Affairs Ministry, Mr K J S Sodhi, presently Joint Secretary at headquarters, has been appointed Ambassador to Suriname.

Ms Primrose Sharma, also Joint Secretary at headquarters, will be the new envoy to Portugal.

East Timor was colonised by Portugal in the 16th century and was known as Portuguese Timor until Portugal's decolonisation of the country.

In late 1975, East Timor declared its independence but was occupied by Indonesia later that year and declared that country's 27th province the following year.

In 1999, following the United Nations-sponsored act of self-determination, Indonesia relinquished control of the territory and East Timor became the first new sovereign state of the twenty-first century on May 20, 2002.

East Timor is one of only two predominantly Roman Catholic countries in Southeast Asia, the other being the Philippines.

UNI RB SB BD1943