The Indian Foreign Minister and his delegation were received by Cuba’s a.i. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gerardo Peñalver, at which time they highlighted the commemoration in January this year of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
During the meeting, held in the Cubanacán hall, the parties stressed that the Cuban-Indian ties are based on mutual respect, solidarity and traditional friendship.
Peñalver thanked the Indian government for donating 20 tons of humanitarian supplies and a mobile field hospital to affected communities in eastern Cuba following Hurricane Melissa.
Humanitarian aid, delivered under the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) program, was also sent to Jamaica, in fulfilment of India’s commitment to the countries of the Global South against the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.
“This gesture of solidarity adds to the support provided by India after Hurricane Rafael in 2024, said Peñalver, who reaffirmed that the Caribbean nation deeply values the constancy and commitment of this brother people and government in times of need”.
The Cuban official emphasized that cooperation between the two countries is based on a constant political dialogue and collaboration in multiple areas, including health, education, science and sustainable development.
He also pointed out that hundreds of Cuban professionals have received training through scholarship programs offered by the Indian government, which strengthens human and academic ties.
As a culmination of the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed which includes a Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and a Protocol for Cultural Exchange and Collaboration between the Ministries of Culture of both nations.
The Indian delegation arrived in Havana last Sunday and will complete an intense program until this Tuesday, November 11.
This Monday they laid a wreath before the memorial of the National Hero Jose Marti, in the Plaza de la Revolución.
According to the agenda, the holder of the portfolio will visit the Fidel Castro Ruz Center and will subsequently be received by President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez.
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