India came out in support of Cuba in UNGA, demanded removal of US sanctions, 130 countries supported

New Delhi/New York. India has once again supported Cuba on the international platform and demanded the US to end the economic, trade and financial sanctions imposed on this small Caribbean country. On Wednesday, 28 October 2026, in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), India voted in favor of the resolution related to the removal of US sanctions. This proposal got the support of 130 countries including India, while 17 countries including America and Israel opposed it. Whereas 25 countries distanced themselves from the voting and decided to remain neutral. India clarified that problems should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than unilateral sanctions which affect the sovereignty and economic development of any country.

130 countries voted in support of Cuba in the United Nations

A proposal to end US sanctions on Cuba was made among the 193 member states of the United Nations General Assembly.

The official theme of this resolution was related to the need to end the economic, trade and financial sanctions imposed by the US against Cuba.

During the voting, 130 countries supported the resolution, while 17 countries voted against it. Apart from this, 25 countries abstained from voting.

In this way, the General Assembly passed a resolution with a majority urging the US to end the decades-old sanctions against Cuba.

However, this resolution of the United Nations General Assembly is not binding. This means that the US will not be legally bound to lift the sanctions merely by the passage of this resolution.

India said- laws affecting the sovereignty of other countries should be abolished

Soumya Nair, Counselor of India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, presented the country’s side in the General Assembly.

He said India opposes such laws and measures whose impact reaches across the borders of other countries and affects their sovereignty and economic development.

The Indian representative stressed the need to respect the UN Charter and international laws.

India appealed to all countries to refrain from imposing such restrictive laws and review the measures already in place.

India also expressed hope that the sanctions imposed against Cuba will end soon, so that the people there will get more opportunities for international cooperation and development.

Severe shortage of medicines and food in Cuba

The Indian representative also expressed concern about the humanitarian conditions in Cuba.

Citing the report of the UN Secretary General, he said that Cuba’s health system lacks more than 60 percent of essential medicines.

Apart from this, there has been a decline of more than 50 percent in the country’s food production during the last five years.

Cuba’s energy crisis has also been exacerbated by restrictions on fuel supplies.

These conditions are affecting essential services like hospitals, schools, water supply, transportation and food distribution.

India said ending the sanctions could provide relief to Cuban citizens and help meet the country’s development needs.

Why has America imposed sanctions on Cuba?

The history of the dispute between America and Cuba is almost six decades old.

After the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro in 1959, relations between the two countries deteriorated rapidly.

After this, America started imposing economic sanctions against Cuba in the year 1960. In the year 1962, the scope of these restrictions was further increased.

Over time a number of restrictions came into effect affecting trade, financial transactions and other economic activities.

The United States argues that Cuba’s communist government policies, political repression, and human rights problems are important reasons behind the sanctions.

On the other hand, Cuba says that US sanctions hinder its economic development and ordinary citizens have to face difficulties.

17 countries including America and Israel protested

The proposal to end the embargo on Cuba was opposed by 17 countries, including the US and Israel.

Ukraine, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates were among the countries that voted against.

At the same time, many countries like Germany and Italy did not vote in favor of the proposal this time and decided to remain neutral.

US UN Ambassador Mike Waltz described the voting results as his country’s diplomatic achievement.

He said that many major economies have changed their position compared to previous years.

The American representative said that the policies of the Cuban government are also responsible for Cuba’s economic problems.

Last year support from 165 countries, this time it reduced to 130

The proposal to lift the US embargo against Cuba got the support of fewer countries this time compared to last year.

In the year 2025, 165 countries voted in favor of the proposal in the United Nations General Assembly. At that time only seven countries had protested and 12 countries had remained neutral.

But in the year 2026, the number of supporting countries reduced to 130.

Cuba said- lives of common people affected by sanctions

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla criticized the US sanctions at the UN General Assembly.

He said that these sanctions are affecting the common citizens of Cuba. especially fuel, medicines, food and other essential commodities