Answer :
Portugal maintained control of East Timor, or Timor-Leste, until it was recognized as an independent nation by the UN in 2002 following a prolonged and violent conflict after Indonesian occupation. Therefore, the correct option is A
Portugal held onto eastern Timor well after the Dutch left the East Indies. Southeast Asia was extensively colonized by European powers and later by Japan. East Timor, or Timor-Leste, is one such example. Located just north of Australia, Timor is an island that was historically split due to colonial influences: the eastern half being a Portuguese colony, and the western half associated with Indonesia, a former Dutch colony.
East Timor declared independence in 1975 but was invaded and occupied by Indonesia shortly thereafter, sparking a prolonged and devastating civil war. Only after intense conflict, loss of life, and mounting international pressure did Indonesia relinquish control, leading to East Timor's recognition by the United Nations as an independent country in 2002.
The official name for the nation is Timor-Leste, and its recent history has been focused on establishing itself as a country and negotiating territorial boundaries to secure important oil and gas reserves.
