India’s Foreign Minister to Visit Cuba

New Delhi, Jun 13 . – India's Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna will make an official visit to Cuba, June 15-17.

During his first day in Havana, Krishna will meet with his Cuban peer, Bruno Rodriguez, to analyze bilateral issues and review regional and international affairs, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a release.

India and Cuba have traditionally had warm and friendly relations, and have maintained mutual cooperation in sports, energy, biotechnology and information technology, the note states.

India was among the first nations to recognize the Cuban government after the triumph of the Revolution on January 1, 1959.

Both nations have maintained close contacts in international forums such as the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement, and supported one another's candidatures at many UN agencies.

New Delhi has always supported Havana when the UN has voted on the resolution to lift the U.S. blockade against Cuba, and opposed Washington's attempts to condemn the island in UN entities such as the Human Rights Council.

Both countries have shared viewpoints on the need to democratize the UN and expand its Security Council as essential part of the process to reform the international agency. Cuba also supports India's inclusion as a permanent member of the Security Council.

According to the note from the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Krishna will meet in Havana with ambassadors of his country in Latin America and the Caribbean, as part of his agenda, already completed in other regions. The objective is to sensitize embassies to the needs of Indian communities in those nations.(Prensa Latina)