The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Republic of Cubaon the eve of their National Day (January 1, 2017).

In a message to His Excellency Mr. Raul Castro Ruz, the President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers, the Republic of Cuba, the President has said, "On behalf of the Government and people of India as well as on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to felicitate you on the happy occasion of the National Day of Cuba.

Relations between India and Cuba are based on strong foundations of shared values and convergence of views. The meeting between Your Excellency and Vice President of India, Mr. Mohammad Hamid Ansari in Margarita, Venezuela in September, 2016 and the visit of our Minister of State for Health to Cuba in October, 2016 have added further impetus to our ongoing cooperation. Our two countries now look forward to a closer partnership in various areas of our shared interest including biotechnology, wind energy, power co-generation among others.

I take this opportunity to convey to Your Excellency my best wishes for your well-being and for the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Cuba”.

This Press Release issued at 1310 hrs.