This January 12, 2025, Cuba and India celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic relations.
The origins of these ties date back to the visit made to India by Che Guevara, in the early days of July 1959. In that occasion, he did a tour for six Asian countries bringing a message of friendship from the Cuban people and government. India was one of the first countries in this continent to recognize the nascent Cuban Revolution. In September 1960, Fidel and Nehru held a historic meeting in New York, within the framework of the UN General Assembly.
Fidel's visits to India, in 1973 and 1983, consolidated a deep friendship between the two nations, symbolized in the embrace with the then PM Indira Gandhi, which has lasted until today. The meeting held with PM Narendra Modi by the current President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel, during his visit to India, in 2015, attests to this. Similarly, important visits to Cuba have taken place by senior Indian figures, such as Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and the recently deceased Manmohan Singh and former President Ram Nath Kovind, among others.
There have been many expressions of solidarity and cooperation between both countries. Cuba deeply appreciates the gestures of the Indian government in donating medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients for their production, in benefit of our population. It is more the grateful, considering the severe damages caused recently by intense hurricanes and earthquakes in the Island.
The granting of six lines of credit has been very important for Cuban economy in recent years, including one for the acquisition of the standard family basket’s rice in 2023. Areas of the common interests are development of infrastructures in vital sectors for the Cuban economy like renewable energies, agriculture and production of medicines.
We are very thankful for the support of the government of India in the resolution that Cuba presents, at the United Nations General Assembly every year; condemning the criminal economic, commercial and financial blockade of the US, the longest ever suffered by any nation. The inhuman nature of this policy affects the daily life of all Cuban citizens, especially children, pregnant women and the elders.
The broad expressions of sympathy and friendship of the large Cuba Solidarity Movement throughout India are an encouragement for the battle the Cuban people are waging to end this injustice.
As we enter the new year 2025, there are many renewed intentions to continue expanding political relations and boosting economic, commercial and cooperation exchanges between our two countries. High-level visits are necessary to enhance the political dialogue and the bilateral legal framework. New perspectives are opening up for the development of cooperation in biotechnology, energy, Information technology (IT), tourism, agriculture, and others, which will contribute to increasing and diversifying the volume of bilateral trade.
At the multilateral level, Cuba and India have made relevant contributions in favour of the Global South, within the framework of the UN, the NAM and the G77. The recent incorporation of Cuba to BRICS as a partner country, on January 1, 2025, opens another space to work together building a fairer international order. A new order without hegemonism where peace, cooperation and solidarity prevail over militarism, war and the application of unilateral coercive measures as instruments of domination. A new order, in accordance with the international law and the principles contained in the UN Charter, such as respect for the integrity, sovereignty and self-determination of nations.
We are deeply convinced the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries represents an important motivation to raise, to higher levels, a close friendship built on shared values “for the good of all”, as Martí and Gandhi dreamed and fought.
It is a special occasion to transmit deserved recognition to all (politicians, diplomats, entrepreneurs, scientists, academics, artists and many others), who have contributed to this beautiful story of friendship, during these 65 and the forthcoming years.
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Delhi.
