India and Cuba have renewed their pledge to fortify bilateral relations amid growing global challenges, coinciding with 66 years of diplomacy since 1960. India’s early endorsement of the Cuban Revolution positioned it as a trailblazer among Asian peers, nurturing a relationship rich in history and promise.
Early bonds were nurtured by revolutionary icons’ visits to India and Nehru’s pivotal conversations with Castro. Recent dynamism peaked at the 2023 BRICS Summit, where PM Modi and Cuban President Díaz-Canel aligned visions.
Strategic visits by Cuban Vice Premier Martínez Díaz and Indian MoS Margherita spurred signings on legal and cultural fronts. As Cuba’s pharma powerhouse partner, India eyes expansions in biotech, digital tech, travel, agribusiness, renewables, and minerals.
Empowering Cubans via ITEC, collaborations extend to wellness, traditional healing, and crisis management. Educational swaps, cultural festivals, athletic ties, and sustainable energy projects marked a vibrant year.
With 2026 on horizon—India’s BRICS presidency in sight—both nations foresee amplified gains. India’s humanitarian lifeline to Cuba after Hurricane Melissa embodied global familyhood: 20 metric tons of aid, from ‘India Health Initiative’ trauma units to meds, gensets, tents, sanitation kits, and solar lights.
Cuban FM Rodríguez’s thankful post spotlighted EAM Jaishankar’s role in aiding eastern Cuba. This act of kinship enhances resilience, paving way for a robust, multifaceted partnership.