Despite India and Cuba working closely on the Non Aligned Movement, it is the first-ever bilateral visit by any Indian VVIP to Havana as earlier trips by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and others were in connection with multi-lateral events.
"It was a very warm and affectionate visit," Indian Ambassador Chintapally Rajasekhar told reporters after Ansari's 65-minute long meeting with the 87-year-old leader.
Rajasekhar said Ansari wanted to personally pay his respects to the icon of social justice. The meeting reflected the warmth in the relationship between India and Cuba, two of the founding members of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM).
Ansari also had a 75-minute meeting with 82-year-old Cuban President Raul Castro.
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Coming at a time when China is trying to make inroads into Cuba, Ansari's visit is being seen as an attempt to strengthen India's presence in South America.
The only Indian investment in Cuba is ONGC Videsh Limited's search for oil in waters off Cuba's north coast.
India had written off Cuba's debt of USD 62 million in 2008. Subsequently, a new credit line of USD 120 million was opened, of which USD 12.7 million has been spent on a milk company, a chemical industry and an animal vaccine firm.