Cuba backs India's bid for permanent seat in UNSC

NEW DELHI: Cuban Ambassador Abelardo Cueto Sosa today backed India's bid for permanent berth in United Nations Security Council ( UNSC) even as he asserted that his country's sovereignty remained non-negotiable notwithstanding the recent thaw in relationship between Washington and Havana.

Talking to reporters here, Sosa also batted for democratisation of the UNSC, saying his country has been fighting for the same for many years.

"It will be very good (if India gets permanent seat in UNSC). Why not? We have been fighting to democratise the Security Council for many years," he told reporters.

While the diplomatic ties between US and Cuba seem to have been improving of late, Sosa maintained his country will ensure it doesn't surrender its sovereignty "preserved for many years" following long struggle.

"I am totally convinced that we have problems, we have hassles also, but we will never surrender our sovereignty. We are a country who fought for many many years to preserve the sovereignty. We will surrender nothing, absolutely nothing," he said, adding, Cuba wants to build bridges while maintaining its sovereignty.

On India-Pakistan relationship, he said it is a "problem" between the two Asian countries and Cuba was not in a position to suggest them what to do.

"This is a problem between India and Pakistan. We are not in a position to say this to any country that you must do this or must do that," he said.

Stating Cuba has tie up with India in sectors like raw materials, pharmaceuticals, textiles, etc, Sosa said Havana is also in the process of learning from New Delhi ways to obtain renewable energy, especially wind and solar.

"We are also in the process of learning (from India) how to obtain renewable energy, wind and solar energy. We have wind and solar for more than 70 per cent of the days in a year," he said.

He also informed a cancer vaccine produced by Indian biopharmaceutical company, Biocon, in Cuba has been introduced in markets in Latin America.

Biocon had entered into an agreement with a Cuban research company CIMAB over ten years ago to produce the vaccine, which is being used to treat lung cancer, he added.

"They are producing lung cancer and psoriasis vaccines. It has been tested; it is in market in Latin America," Sosa said.

On his stint in India, Sosa said, "For me to come to India is likely coming to paradise. I feel very comfortable."