India associates itself with the statement made by the distinguished representative of South Africa on behalf of G-77 and also the statement made by the distinguished representative of Iran on behalf of NAM. 

 

We welcome the distinguished Foreign Minister of Cuba Mr. Bruno Rodrigues Parrilla among us here today.

 

At the outset, let me first of all recall that this debate is happening this year in the context of some welcome developments in the bilateral relations between Cuba and the United States.

 

In this context, let me stress that India warmly welcomes the restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States. We congratulate the governments and the peoples of the two nations on this historic occasion.

 

 

This Assembly has considered the issue of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba annually for more than two decades now. 

 

On each of these occasions, it has consistently rejected the imposition of laws and regulations with extra-territorial impact and all other forms of coercive economic measures that hurt the progress and prosperity of the people the world over.

 

The General Assembly has also called upon all States, in conformity with their obligations under the United Nations Charter and international law, to refrain from promulgating and applying, as well as repeal and invalidate, laws and measures that have extra-territorial effects affecting the sovereignty of other States.

 

There can be little doubt that the continued existence of this embargo, in contravention of world opinion as expressed by this august House, undermines multilateralism and the credibility of the United Nations itself. 

 

 

As the world's largest democracy with abiding faith in multilateralism, India stands in solidarity with the international community in its unambiguous rejection of domestic laws having extra-territorial impact.

 

Embargoes impede the full achievement of economic and social development by the population of the affected country, in particular children and women.

 

They also hinder the full enjoyment of human rights, including the right to development, food, medical care and social services, among other things.  

 

 

Successive reports of the Secretary General have established - and this year's report is no exception - that the embargo by United States against Cuba, particularly through its extraterritorial effects, has adversely affected the Cuban people and the development efforts of the country.

 

It has had a negative impact on the Cuban economy which has been forced to bear considerable extra cost for sourcing products, technology and services and by discouraging investment and technology collaboration between Cuba and third countries.

 

In this context, Mr. President, we would like to acknowledge the notable socio-economic and developmental achievements of the Cuban people, in particular the high HDI ranking of Cuba and its achievement of several MDGs before time despite the difficult conditions imposed upon it by this embargo. 

 

Cuba's acknowledged expertise in healthcare, achieved despite such conditions, enabled it to respond quickly and effectively, in a substantial manner, to the call made by the UN General Assembly just last year to all nations to respond to the Ebola crisis in Africa. The embargo, in this context, does appear to be ironic.

 

While launching the transformative '2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development', world leaders have once again strongly urged all States urged to refrain from promulgating and applying any unilateral economic, financial or trade measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations that impede the full achievement of economic and social development, particularly in developing countries. 

 

In view of this consensus call by world leaders, the international community needs to re-double its efforts to promote an environment free from sanctions and embargoes.

 

Mr. President,

 

India hopes that the recent positive development in relations between Cuba and the United States would lead to an early withdrawal of this embargo. 

India supports the resolution moved by Cuba.

 

I thank you.