The following is the text of the message of greetings sent by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba on the occasion of its Seventh Congress held from April 16-19 in Havana.

Dear Comrades,

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) conveys its warm fraternal greetings to the Seventh Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and wishes it all success.

We have been following with immense interest the restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the US. The recent visit of US President Barack Obama to Cuba also generated a lot of interest. We are confident that guided by the correct application of Marxism-Leninism, the PCC will lead the country through the struggle against the criminal economic blockade and also regain control over the Guantanamo Bay, which is under the illegal occupation of the US. We are confident that under the revolutionary leadership of the Party, the country will achieve these objectives, just as you could succeed in securing freedom for the 'Cuban Five'.

Comrades,

The Seventh Congress of the PCC is taking place at a time when the imperialist forces have once again become very active in the Latin American region. Apart from a change in the modus operandi, the fact remains that the US imperialism is actively encouraging coups in countries like Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia, which are considered as outposts for anti-imperialist struggles. A heartening feature is the resistance offered to these attempts by the Left and progressive forces in all these countries. Cuba, which had all these years successfully resisted the imperialist attempts of subjugation, is the inspiration for the entire contingent of anti-imperialist forces, not only in Latin America, but throughout the world.

The exemplary achievements of Cuba, particularly in the fields of health, education, in ensuring gender and racial equality, its solidarity missions, inspire people around the world. The importance of these achievements are further enhanced, considering the fact that all of them have been achieved overcoming the severe hardships resulting from the criminal economic blockade imposed by the US. These achievements, which put many advanced developed countries to a shame, are a testimony to the superiority of the socialist system.

Comrades,

In India, the right-wing government that had come to power is strategically allying with the US and entering into many accords that severely compromise the sovereign character of our country. In order to quell all forms of protest arising against its anti-people policies, the government is resorting to authoritarian measures and divide people on religious lines. In this background, we are also fighting elections in five important states for electing their legislative assemblies. Of these, West Bengal and Kerala are our strongholds, where the ruling classes have launched an all-out offensive against our Party and the Left forces. The Party is thick in these struggles.

Comrades, we once again reiterate our fraternal solidarity with the Communist Party of Cuba and hope that the ties of friendship between our two parties would get further strengthened. We are fully confident that the discussions and the resolutions you adopt in your Congress would lead to the further strengthening and consolidation of socialism in your country and in building a happy and prosperous Cuba. Wishing you all success.

Central Committee

Communist Party of India (Marxist)