India's view of the world · A factual referenceLast updated 12 May 2026 · Edition 04
COUNTRY RELATIONSHIP · CUBA
India & Cuba
NAM FOUNDING PARTNERPHARMA COOPERATIONBIOTECHNOLOGYSOUTH-SOUTH SOLIDARITY
India and Cuba share a deep friendship rooted in Non-Aligned Movement solidarity, anti-colonial politics, and mutual respect that dates to the Nehru-Castro era of the early 1960s. The relationship is remarkable for its warmth despite the asymmetry of the two countries and has produced concrete cooperation in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare that makes it one of the more substantive India-Caribbean partnerships. Cuba's biotechnology industry, which has developed vaccines and oncology drugs independent of Western supply chains, has been of particular interest to India.
COOPERATION AREAS
Where India and Cuba actually work together
4 active areas of cooperation, as of July 2026. Click any card for the full brief.
TRADE & INVESTMENT
By the numbers
Approximate figures. Cuba's economic difficulties and US sanctions limit trade volumes. India exports pharmaceuticals and rice; Cuba exports nickel, tobacco, and sugar.
~$400mn
Total bilateral trade in goods
~$300mn
India exports to country
~$100mn
India imports from country
Trade trajectory · USD bn
$0.4bnin 2023 · click a bar to compare years
TOP TRADED ITEMS
AGREEMENTS & MILESTONES
The relationship since 1960, in 7 dates
CURRENT STATE
Where things stand, 2026
India-Cuba relations maintain exceptional warmth rooted in NAM solidarity, with pharmaceutical and biotech cooperation as the practical centrepiece. Cuba's economic difficulties and US sanctions constrain the bilateral relationship's commercial potential, but the political dimension remains strong and India consistently votes with Cuba at the UN. The biotech partnership model remains the most innovative aspect of the relationship.
SIGNALS TO WATCH
On track / positive momentum
In progress / worth watching
Stalled or facing headwinds
Not yet started / unclear
QUICK FACTS
CapitalHavana
Population11 million
RegionAmericas
Diplomatic tiesSince 1960
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