Indian PM Meets with Cuba's First VP

HAVANA, Cuba, Mar 23 (acn) The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the Cuban First Vice-president and Politburo member Miguel Diaz-Canel, congratulated each other on Monday in New Delhi for the healthy state of bilateral bonds and expressed their wish of strengthening them.
Modi declared himself to be an admirer of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, and of President Raul Castro, and highlighted that the two countries have never had a disagreement in the long road they have covered together.
Diaz-Canel traveled to the Asian nation for a two-day visit to strengthen these bonds, precisely when the two nations are marking the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
The meeting between Modi and Diaz-Canel, that took place in a cordial and respectful atmosphere, is that of the highest level held between the two countries since October, 2013.
On that date, the Indian Vice-president, Hamid Ansari, visited Havana and was received by President Raul Castro and by the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro. He also met with Diaz-Canel, with whom he will meet on this occasion, after the Cuban First VP's meeting with Modi.
Later, the Cuban leader will meet with President Pranab Mukherjee and then again with his Indian counterpart, who is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha or upper chamber of Parliament.
New Delhi has invariable supported Havana when the U.N. General Assembly has voted the resolutions on the lifting of the U.S. blockade of Cuba, and in due course opposed Washington's attempts to condemn the island at entities such as the Human Rights Council.
In the bilateral level, India and the Caribbean island maintain bonds of cooperation and mutual benefit in the fields of sports, energy, biotechnology and computing.
Diaz-Canel arrived in New Delhi from Namibia, third stopover of a tour that before took him to South Africa and Angola.