On the eve of the 66th anniversary of diplomatic ties, India and Cuba vowed to elevate their longstanding partnership, emphasizing unity and shared goals. Ties date back to 1960, with India pioneering Asian recognition of Cuba’s revolution—a gesture that set the tone for decades of camaraderie.
Iconic moments like Che Guevara’s and Fidel Castro’s India visits, alongside Nehru’s visionary exchanges, cemented this alliance. In 2023, the relationship surged forward. The BRICS Summit in Brazil witnessed PM Modi and President Díaz-Canel charting a bolder course.
High-profile visits amplified progress: Cuba’s Vice Premier Martínez Díaz to New Delhi, and India’s MoS Margherita to Cuba, resulting in pacts for legal frameworks and cultural exchanges. Pharma collaboration thrives, with India as a cornerstone for Cuba, while biotech, tech, tourism, farming, energy, and mining beckon new ventures.
ITEC training programs build Cuban expertise, complemented by advances in healthcare, Ayurveda, and disaster response. Year-round efforts in education, arts, sports, and green energy have invigorated bonds.
Looking to 2026, expectations run high with India’s BRICS leadership poised to unlock potentials. India’s November aid to Hurricane Melissa-hit Cuba—20 tons of relief including trauma kits, drugs, generators, shelters, and solar gear—epitomized ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.’
Havana’s Foreign Minister Rodríguez hailed the gesture online, crediting EAM Jaishankar. This aid fortified mutual trust, signaling a future of deepened strategic synergy between the Global South allies.
