India hails US move to revive diplomatic ties with Cuba

India on Thursday welcomed the US' decision to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba after a gap of more than five decades.

"India, which enjoys excellent relations with the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba, welcomes the decision by both the countries to re-establish diplomatic relations," Official Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry, Syed Akbaruddin, said.

In a historic decision, President Barack Obama on Wednesday in a television address to the country announced a series of steps aimed at normalising relations with communist-ruled Cuba, with which the US had severed diplomatic ties decades ago, imposing a series of sanctions on its island neighbour. The steps being taken include instructions to re-establish the US Embassy in Cuban capital Havana, relaxing of trade and travel restrictions and review of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.