Havana, Mar 5 (Prensa Latina) Indian Ambassador Armstrong Changsan received and delivered to Cuban authorities today the third shipment of medicines donated by the Indian government and people in a gesture of solidarity.
“I am happy that India can assist Cuba in these critical times, especially with the donation of medicines among other products,” Ambassador Armstrong Changsan told Prensa Latina.
“As you may know, India is the so-called Pharmacy of the World as it produces huge quantities of medicines and vaccines, which it supplies to the entire world,” said the Head of Mission.
This is the third of four such donations from the Indian government. The first arrived by air in January – as did this one – while the second and fourth are coming by ship because they are very large, Ambassador Changsan explained.
Those arriving by sea will do so in April and May, respectively, the diplomat said.
This shipment contains, among others, medications for circulation, such as Heparin, anesthetics (Profosol), antibiotics (Ceftriaxone), corticosteroids (Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone), ampules of Magnesia Sulfate, Tranexamic Acid and Sodium Bicarbonate.
Following the arrival of the first donation of medicines in January, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez expressed his gratitude for the humanitarian gesture and described it as “an example of the friendship between the two nations.” The shipment included antibiotics, antipyretics, analgesics, oral solutions and muscle relaxants, destined for the provinces affected by the passage of Hurricane Rafael last November.
In June 2024, Indian authorities also sent 90 tonnes of nine active pharmaceutical ingredients to Cuba, for the production of essential antibiotics, valued at 10 million euros.
The shipment was delivered to one of the laboratories of the BioCubaFarma Group, for the manufacture of medicines demanded by the population of the Island, such as Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, Cefixime in capsules and suspension; injectable drugs such as Ceftriaxone, Cefuroxime and Ceftazidime, with a coverage of six to 12 months.
Changsan took the opportunity to say that “the donation is an example of the brotherhood between the two nations over six decades, based on respect and shared views on economic and political matters.”
Cuba has maintained diplomatic ties with India for 65 years. India is one of the first Asian nations to recognise and establish ties with the Cuban state after the revolutionary victory of 1959.
At the ceremony for the anniversary of these bilateral ties (officialized on January 12, 1960), Ambassador Changsan highlighted the cooperation and friendship that has characterized these six and a half decades.
The Head of Mission said at the time: “We value our strong bilateral relationship and look forward to continuing to work together to address common challenges and explore new avenues of cooperation in the years ahead.”
India is one of Cuba’s top 20 trading partners, and among the $32 million in exports in the 2023-2024 period, pharmaceutical and chemical products predominate, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce of that South Asian nation.
In addition to bilateral agreements in various fields, New Delhi has granted Cuba significant lines of credit for the implementation of projects in the agricultural and renewable energy sectors.
arc/mh
