India Endorses UN Resolution to End US Economic Embargo on Cuba
India has supported a UN resolution calling for the end of the US economic embargo on Cuba, which was favored by 187 nations against only the US and Israel. India’s delegate criticized extraterritorial laws and the embargo’s impact on Cuba’s development. Cuba’s Foreign Minister denounced the embargo as a pressure tactic, while the US claims it promotes democracy and human rights.
India reaffirmed its support for a United Nations resolution aimed at ending the long-standing economic embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba. Speaking on behalf of India, First Secretary Sneha Dubey articulated the nation’s stance against extraterritorial domestic laws, expressing concern over the detrimental impact of the embargo on the Cuban economy and its citizens. During a recent vote in the UN General Assembly, 187 nations endorsed the resolution, highlighting a significant international consensus, with only the United States and Israel opposing the motion, which matched a previous record for support against the embargo. India’s First Secretary underscored that, as the world’s largest democracy committed to multilateralism, India stands in solidarity with the UN’s rejection of laws that extend beyond national jurisdiction. She noted, “As the world’s largest democracy with abiding faith in multilateralism, India stands in solidarity with this assembly in its unambiguous rejection of domestic laws having extraterritorial impact.” Furthermore, she expressed hope for the swift removal of the embargo, emphasizing the potential contributions of the Cuban populace to global needs if freed from such sanctions. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez criticized the embargo as a “maximum pressure policy” designed to limit Cuba’s energy resources and exacerbate its economic crisis. He categorized the US claims of aiding the Cuban people through the embargo as misleading, demanding an end to what he characterized as a “six-decade siege.” In contrast, US Deputy Ambassador Paul Folmsbee defended the embargo, asserting that sanctions are part of a broader strategy to promote democracy and human rights in Cuba. He expressed the US commitment to advancing the Cuban people’s rights and freedoms, implying that the sanctions serve this purpose.
The United States has maintained an economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba since 1960, following the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro, which resulted in the nationalization of US assets in Cuba. The embargo has drawn significant international criticism and opposition, being viewed as an impediment to Cuba’s economic development and global engagement. The recent vote in the UN General Assembly, in which 187 countries supported the resolution to lift the embargo, reflects the widespread global disapproval of the policy. Cuba has repeatedly argued that the embargo restricts its economic growth and access to essential resources, while the US maintains that sanctions are necessary to promote political reform and human rights in the island nation.
In conclusion, India’s support for the UN resolution to lift the economic embargo on Cuba signifies a broader international consensus against such sanctions. The overwhelming backing from the global community, juxtaposed with the opposition from the US and Israel, highlights a collective desire for Cuba to regain its economic potential. The ongoing debate over the embargo raises critical questions about the intersection of human rights, international diplomacy, and the efficacy of sanctions as a tool of foreign policy.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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