The Government of India has extended a helping hand to the Republic of Cuba by sending humanitarian assistance. This gesture reaffirms India’s status as the “Pharmacy of the World” and underscores our commitment to the historic friendship and warmth between India Cuba relations.
The Assistance Package
🇮🇳 sends humanitarian assistance to Cuba.
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 2, 2024
A consignment of 90 tonnes of nine ‘Made in India’ APIs left Mundra port for Cuba today. The APIs will support manufacture of essential medicines.
The assistance reaffirms 🇮🇳’s role as the Pharmacy of the world and underlines our… pic.twitter.com/EaDXuNHceh
A consignment of approximately 90 tonnes of nine “Made in India” Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) left Mundra port on June 2, 2024. These APIs will play a crucial role in producing essential antibiotics in various dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, syrups, and injections. These medicines are urgently needed for the treatment of chronic communicable diseases in Cuba.
Strengthening India Cuba relations
India and Cuba share a long-standing friendship, and this humanitarian assistance further strengthens the bilateral relationship. Over the years, India has consistently supported Cuba during times of need. Notably, in November 2020, New Delhi donated 524 boxes of life-saving medicines to Cuba. Additionally, during the Covid-19 pandemic, India supplied rice to Cuba under a short-term credit arrangement in 2022-23.
Historically, India was among the first countries to recognize Cuba following the 1959 Cuban revolution, marking the beginning of India Cuba relations. In a significant diplomatic move, Fidel Castro sent the iconic revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara to India on a two-week visit. Guevara arrived in New Delhi on June 30, 1959, where he met with Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. During their meeting, Nehru presented Guevara with an ivory-handled khukri—a symbol of friendship and respect. Today, this khukri is preserved at the Centro de Estudios Che Guevara in Havana.
Guevara’s visit laid the groundwork for stronger ties between the two nations. The delegations agreed to establish diplomatic missions and enhance trade relations. India opened its embassy in Havana just six months after Guevara’s visit, signifying Indian solidarity with the Cuban revolution. This gesture was crucial, as it demonstrated India’s commitment to supporting Cuba during its transformative period.
High-Level Visits and Shared Values
Over the years, there have been several high-level visits between Indian and Cuban leaders to strengthen India Cuba relations. Cuban President Fidel Castro visited India in 1973 and 1983, strengthening the bilateral relationship. Indian Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh reciprocated by visiting Cuba in 1985 and 2006, respectively. These visits fostered cultural exchanges, economic cooperation, and political dialogue.
Both India and Cuba are founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Fidel Castro praised India’s unwavering commitment to NAM’s principles, emphasizing India’s role as a bastion for peace, national independence, and development. India consistently voted in favor of UN General Assembly resolutions calling for an end to the United States embargo against Cuba, while Cuba publicly supported India’s candidature for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
The Indian Community in Cuba
The Indian community in Cuba has a rich history. Dating back to the early 20th century, Indian plantation workers—indentured laborers from Jamaica and other Caribbean regions—came to Cuba to work on sugarcane plantations. As of February 2016, approximately 200 Cuban citizens are of Indian descent, contributing to the multicultural fabric of Cuban society.
India and Cuba share common views on international affairs too, including the need for a more just and equitable global order. Their India Cuba relations extend beyond mere formalities—they represent a commitment to defending national independence and promoting peace worldwide. Both nations continue to collaborate in international forums, advocating for shared values and principles.
India’s Role as the “Pharmacy of the World”
India’s pharmaceutical industry has gained global recognition for its high-quality and affordable medicines. By sending these APIs to Cuba, India continues to play a vital role in meeting global healthcare needs. The APIs produced in India are essential building blocks for drug formulations, and their availability in Cuba will contribute significantly to public health.
India, often hailed as the “pharmacy of the world,” plays a pivotal role in global healthcare. With its robust pharmaceutical industry, India supplies life-saving medicines to countries across the globe, ensuring affordability and accessibility. Let’s delve into what makes India a pharmaceutical powerhouse.
A Legacy of Affordable Medicines
- Historical Context:
- Pre-2005 Patent Scenario: India’s emergence as a major pharmaceutical player can be traced back to its unique patent laws. Before 2005, product patents on medicines were not granted in India. As a result, Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers could produce low-cost generic versions of drugs that had patents elsewhere.
- Reverse Engineering: Armed with this advantage, India swiftly brought affordable versions of critical drugs to the market. For instance:
- HIV Drugs (Zidovudine): Within a few years of their US launch, India introduced cost-effective versions of HIV medications.
- Life-Saving Cancer Drugs (Imatinib): India’s pharmaceutical industry pioneered the production of affordable cancer drugs, making them accessible to patients worldwide.
- The Power of Generic Drug Production:
- Numerous Producers: India hosts a multitude of generic drug manufacturers. This healthy competition has led to a remarkable reduction in drug prices—often exceeding 99%—across various therapeutic areas.
- Public Health Impact: Affordable drugs are critical for public health programs. India’s contributions extend to treating diseases such as:
- Tuberculosis
- Malaria
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Non-communicable diseases
- COVID-19 Pandemic Response:
- Vaccine Exports: Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, India remained a reliable supplier of vaccines and pharmaceuticals. By March 2021, India had exported 5.84 crore doses of COVID vaccines to 70 countries.
- Global Dependence: The world continued to rely on Indian manufacturers for essential medications, reinforcing India’s reputation as a dependable pharmacy.
During the pandemic, India sent much-needed medicines to scores of countries, demonstrating its commitment to global health. With low-cost skilled manpower and a well-established manufacturing base, India is poised to play an even larger role in ensuring worldwide drug security. As the favored pharmaceutical market, India’s legacy of affordability and innovation remains unwavering.
A Timely Gesture
The departure of this consignment from Mundra port marks a significant moment in India Cuba relations. As the world faces health challenges, India’s commitment to supporting other nations remains unwavering. The humanitarian assistance to Cuba reflects our shared values of compassion, solidarity, and cooperation.
In conclusion, India’s proactive step to send humanitarian aid to Cuba demonstrates our commitment to global well-being and reinforces the bond between our two nations. As the world grapples with various crises, acts of kindness like this remind us of the importance of international cooperation and empathy.
