India at UN supports lifting of US sanctions against Cuba

United Nations: India reiterated its support for the lifting of all sanctions imposed five decades ago by the US against Cuba, saying the continued existence of the embargo undermines multilateralism and the credibility of the UN itself.

Diplomats representing more than 135 countries including India overwhelmingly called on the Trump administration to end its economic, commercial and financial embargo against the Caribbean island, saying the nearly six-decade-long blockade impedes Cuba's right to development and its ability to participate fully in the global economy. "People to people contact holds immense possibilities for fostering better understanding between nations. The international community needs to intensify its efforts to promote an environment free from sanctions and embargoes. India hopes that the embargo will be withdrawn at the earliest," India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Tanmaya Lal said Wednesday.

Lal was participating in the General Assembly session on 'Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial Blockade against Cuba'.

The representatives stressed that the US must heed the Assembly's repeated calls to lift its restrictive policies. Delegates noted that from April 2017 to June this year, the impact of the US embargo on Cuba's foreign trade amounts to more than USD 4 billion. PTI