Cuban Leader Ernesto 'Che' Guevara met with PM Jawaharlal Nehru on July 1, 1959 in New Delhi. He received as a present an ivory handled khukri in walnut scabbard, preserved today at the Centro de Estudios Che Guevara in Havana

What high-level visits are likely to follow?

Next week, we will welcome a delegation of senior Cuban bankers. Because of Cuba’s inclusion on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, our international transactions face severe scrutiny. We are not members of the IMF due to US opposition, and as such, establishing direct banking channels with India is vital. This delegation will meet different financial institutions in Mumbai and Delhi from April 20 and 27. They will also propose some innovative solutions to address Cuban’s outstanding government debt to India. While we have struggled to fulfill repayment obligations due to economic constraints, our intention to honour these commitments has never wavered.

Cuba recently became a formal partner country in BRICS at the Kazan summit in Russia. This new status offers us further opportunities to expand trade and financial cooperation with India and other member states.

What kind of business delegations have visited from either side in recent years?

We are planning an Indian business delegation to Cuba, likely in May, coordinated with both the Cuban and Indian Chambers of Commerce. We are also encouraging Indian participation in Cuba’s major international trade fair in Havana this October. A delegation from the University of Kerala visited Cuba this April to explore cooperation in higher education and scientific research.

What does bilateral trade between India and Cuba look like at present?

My top priority is to promote commercial, financial, and cooperative ties between our countries. The potential is vast. Politically, we already share a strong rapport and often align in multilateral forums, including BRICS. It’s time we elevated our economic relationship to match that closeness.

India Empire magazine travelled to Cuba in October 2023 as part of a FAM organised by the Cuban Embassy and Muthu Group. Has there been increased interest from Indian visitors since then?

Not as much as we had hoped. Before the pandemic, over 36,000 Indians visited Cuba annually, but last year that number dropped to around 5,000. That said, the FAM trip, which included many travel agencies and media outlets, was productive. The Muthu Group, which already manages 11 hotels with 7,000 rooms in Cuba, is helping make Cuba more welcoming to Indian tourists, including through Indian cuisine options.

Connectivity has improved too, with frequent flights from Istanbul, as well as options via Paris, Spain, and Moscow. Cuba offers breathtaking nature, a rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning beaches—an experience truly worth exploring.