This article covers the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Cuba, visits by leaders and ministers, the agreements the two countries have signed, their cooperation in multilateral bodies, and bilateral trade. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief dated 22 July 2026. The brief's trade section is short, so it is included here rather than in a separate article.

Establishment of relations

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, India and Cuba share traditionally warm and friendly relations. The brief traces them to India being among the first countries to recognise the Cuban Government after the 1959 Revolution, and to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960.

The brief states that India and Cuba maintain close cooperation at the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and other multilateral fora, with convergence on issues of importance to the Global South.

Visits and meetings

President Fidel Castro met Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on the sidelines of UNGA in 1960. The brief lists these important Indian visits to Cuba, besides several ministerial and official-level visits:

  • Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi (1985 NAM Summit)
  • Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh (2006 NAM Summit)
  • Vice President Hamid Ansari (2013)
  • President Ram Nath Kovind (2018)

Notable visits from Cuba include those by President Fidel Castro (1973 and 1983), then First Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel (2015) and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez (2013 & 2026), as well as other senior ministers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Miguel Díaz-Canel have also met on the sidelines of BRICS Summits in 2023 and 2025.

Agreements

The brief states that bilateral cooperation has expanded across diverse sectors, including health, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, digital transformation, education, culture and traditional medicine. It lists these key agreements:

  • Cooperation in the Field of Sports (February 2012)
  • Cultural Exchange Programme, and MOU on Cooperation in Broadcasting between Prasar Bharati and Cuban Radio and Television Institute (2013)
  • MOU between Jawahar Lal Nehru University and Havana University for education cooperation (September 2014)
  • MoUs on health and medicine (2017)
  • biotechnology and traditional systems of medicine (2018)
  • Ayurveda cooperation (2022 and 2025)
  • India Stack cooperation (2024)
  • drug regulation and recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia (2024-25)
  • cooperation under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), through an agreement between HLL Lifecare Ltd. and MEDICUBA S.A. (March 2026)

A Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between India and Cuba, and a Protocol on Cultural Exchange and Collaboration between the two countries' ministries of culture, were signed during the visit of MoS(PM) to Cuba on 10 November 2025.

Multilateral cooperation

According to the brief, India and Cuba continue to work closely in multilateral platforms, particularly the UN and NAM, with strong convergence on issues concerning developing countries and the Global South. Cuba supports India's candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council and has consistently condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

The brief also refers to recent high-level engagements, including Foreign Office Consultations and ministerial visits, without giving their dates.

Trade

The brief describes India-Cuba bilateral trade as modest and below its potential. It attributes this primarily to challenges arising from US sanctions and to the routing of several Indian exports through third countries.

Bilateral trade stood at US$ 24.31 million in 2025-26, with Indian exports at US$ 18.79 million and imports at US$ 5.52 million.

India's major exports to Cuba include pharmaceuticals, organic chemicals, plastic products, medical equipment, engineering goods, textiles, metal products, mineral oil products and tools. Imports from Cuba mainly comprise pharmaceutical and tobacco products.