Cuba on Friday invited India to partner it in the exploration of oil and hydrocarbons as External Affairs Minister S M Krishna arrived in Havana on a "historic" visit to the country.
Krishna started his visit in the Cuban capital by paying homage to the father of the Cuban revolution Jose Marti, by laying a wreath at the Revolution Square.
As his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez termed the visit as "historical", Krishna said there was a special place for the people of Cuba in Indian hearts.
The Cuban foreign minister expressed his country's
eagerness to cooperate with India in a range of fields, including hydrocarbon exploration.
"Cuba will cooperate with India in the fields of sports, bio-technology and pharmaceuticals, and will highly encourage India to partner in hydrocarbons and oil exploration sectors," he said as the two ministers met for a bilateral.
Krishna is in Havana for a bilateral visit as well as an Indian heads of mission and Ambassadors conference.
"Fidel Castro and the glorious Cuban revolution evokeinstant admiration in India. Our relations are historical and based on shared values of equality and justice. There is a special place for people of Cuba in Indian hearts," said Krishna.
