Havana, June 22 (RHC) – Indian President Ram Nath Kovind was received in Havana this Friday afternoon by his Cuban counterpart Miguel Diaz-Canel. The Indian dignitary started his visit by paying tribute in Santiago de Cuba to the late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, whom he described as a great friend of India.

"Honoured to begin my state visit to Cuba by paying homage to Fidel Castro in Santiago de Cuba. A great friend of India, said President Kovind, noting that Fidel had lent dignity and strength to the voice of developing countries.

The Indian president is in Cuba on the last leg of a three-nation tour that also took him to Greece, and Suriname.

In Havana, the visiting Indian dignitary toured Friday morning the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. Eduardo Martinez, president of the BioCubaFarma biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry group, accompanied the Indian president and his delegation.

Speaking to the press during the visit, Martinez said India and Cuba could offer humanity a great deal of service in the biotech and pharmaceutical fields. He said the time was right for Cuba and India to strengthen cooperation in those fields.

He said Cuba had for years used biotechnology products made in India, and that agreements for the development of new products and the construction of production plants in Cuba had been signed this Thursday.