Traditionally, Cuba-India relations have been warm and friendly. Cuba raised the level of its mission in India in 1972 to that of an ambassador and India followed suit in 1974. In 1960, the first Indian Prime Minister, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, met Mr. Fidel Castro in New York and Mr. Che Guevara visited India in July 1959. Both countries have maintained closed contacts with each other in various international forums like NAM, WTO, and UN.

Several protocols, MoUs, and work plans for cooperation in various fields have been signed between Cuba and India. In July 1976, the two countries signed an agreement on cultural relation; in November 1978, an agreement on cooperation in science and technology; and in July 1979, an agreement on bilateral trade. A joint commission for economic, scientific and technical cooperation between the two countries was established in 1989. On 25 November 2003, the fifth session of the joint commission was held in New Delhi. In November 2003, a protocol on agricultural research and education was signed and in February 2004, an MoU for cooperation in the field of renewable energy was signed.

Talking about high-level political visits between Cuba and India, President Mr. Fidel Castro paid a visit to Kolkata (Calcutta) en route to Cuba from Vietnam in 1973 and the president again visited India in 1983 for the NAM Summit held in New Delhi. Recently, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh spent an unforgettable 40 minutes with Cuban President Mr. Fidel Castro at a Havana hospital where the president was recovering from intestinal surgery. Dr. Manmohan Singh was one of the few visitors the president received during the 14th NAM Summit, attended by 116 member countries, which was hosted by Acting Cuban President Mr. Raul Castro in Havana.

Around 0.2 percent of Cuba’s total imports are from India. Substantial imports from India take place via third countries like Spain, Canada, and Panama. Main commodities imported from India to Cuba are electronic equipments, cotton fabrics, drugs, plastic and linoleum products, machinery, instruments, and spices. And main commodities exported to India from Cuba are vaccines, medicines (melagenina, interferon, and streptokinase), nickel, and cigars.

Two joint ventures between the two countries have been set up successfully in India. Panacea Biotech is a tie-up between the Indian company Panacea and Heber Biotech of Cuba for production of Hepatitis vaccines at Lalru, Punjab. Biocon Pharmaceuticals Ltd of India and Cuban company CIMAB SA (a commercial branch of CIM) have set up a joint venture at Bangalore for production of monoclonal antibodies for treatment of cancer, and some other health products.