India, Cuba need to go in for more expertise exchange programmes

India and Cuba are closely linked through ties of friendship, solidarity and mutual co-operation. Since 1960, both the countries have established diplomatic ties and have shared close and cordial relations. Both are committed to the use of peaceful means for the settlement of international disputes and recognise the need for a more equitable and just international economic order. The two countries have been strong upholders of the UN Charter and have worked closely with each other in the United Nations and other multilateral fora like the Non-Aligned Movement and Group of 77. Cuba’s President Fidel Castro has a special place in India given his historic championship of non-aligned causes and the warm feelings that he has demonstrated towards India.

‘Co-operation in biotech and pharmaceuticals can do wonders’

Expertise in sugarcane production notwithstanding, Cuba is fast catching up in other areas as well, says the Cuban ambassador Jose Eloy Valdes. Excerpts from an interview with Huma Siddiqui.

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India, on its part, has consistently opposed resolutions in the Human Rights Commission directed specifically against Cuba. India has also been opposed, in principle, to the imposition of unilateral economic sanctions by one country against another and has voted in favour of lifting the embargo on Cuba.

Both the countries have been actively co-operating in important fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and non-conventional energy sources. Since 1994-95, India has been allocating 20 training slots in various fields to Cuba under the Indian Technical and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) programme. While Indo-Cuban trade is yet to reach its full potential, there is still a lot to be done in removing the bottlenecks in the way.

Earlier this year, the 36th Anniversary of the Indian Technical & Economic Co-operation Programme (ITEC) was duly marked in Havana at a reception hosted by the Ambassador. The reception was attended by the representatives of the Cuban Ministries of Foreign Investment and Economic Collaboration (MINVEC), External Relations (MINREX), Science, Technology and the Environment (CITMA), Basic Industries, Finance, Standardisation, as well as over 60 ITEC alumni who had attended various courses in India.