India and Cuba marked a significant advancement in bilateral cooperation with the launch of the India–Cuba IT Council at the India–Cuba IT Forum hosted by the United Diplomatic Council (UDC) in Bengaluru. The forum convened senior government representatives, diplomats, technology leaders, and trade commissioners from multiple regional councils, including representation from the Latin American and Caribbean region.
The Latin American and Caribbean Trade Council was represented at the forum by Badal Saboo, Honorary Trade Commissioner, reflecting the broader regional significance of the India–Cuba digital partnership and highlighting Latin America’s expanding engagement with India’s technology and innovation ecosystem.
The India–Cuba IT Council was established following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Economic Trade Organization (IETO), operating under the diplomatic platform of UDC, and XETID (Empresa de Tecnologías de la Información Para La Defensa), a state-owned Cuban technology enterprise.
India and Cuba share more than six decades of diplomatic relations, rooted in solidarity, South–South cooperation, and respect for sovereignty. Since establishing ties in 1960, both countries have collaborated across multilateral platforms and strengthened engagement in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and education. The launch of the IT Council represents an evolution of this partnership into the digital and innovation domain, aligning with national priorities around technological capacity building and innovation-led growth.
Speaking at the forum, Badal Saboo emphasized the broader regional implications of the partnership:
“The India–Cuba IT Council carries importance beyond bilateral engagement. For Latin American and Caribbean economies, digital cooperation of this nature opens pathways for triangular collaboration, technology transfer, and market access. As Cuba strengthens its digital ecosystem in partnership with India, it creates opportunities for regional integration across innovation and trade.”
He noted that Latin American countries are increasingly seeking partnerships that link innovation ecosystems with structured institutional frameworks, enabling sustainable and technology-driven economic growth.
Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of the United Diplomatic Council, remarked
“This Council represents the convergence of diplomacy and digital transformation. By bringing together governments, trade councils, and technology institutions, we are creating platforms that translate dialogue into implementable cooperation. The engagement of Latin American representation further expands the global dimension of this partnership.”
The launch of the India–Cuba IT Council signals a strategic deepening of relations between the two nations while simultaneously drawing the attention of Latin American stakeholders. By positioning technology, innovation, and digital governance at the center of cooperation, the initiative reflects a broader Global South alignment aimed at building resilient, interconnected digital economies.
As India and Cuba advance this institutional framework, the participation of regional trade councils demonstrates that the partnership holds relevance not only for bilateral ties but also for the wider Latin American and Caribbean region, strengthening cross-continental digital and trade linkages for the years ahead.
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