India has called for immediate lifting of the economic and trade embargo imposed on Cuba by the United States since 1962.Speaking in favour of the resolution at the UN Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed said there is huge potential for strengthening economic and commercial ties between Cuba and the United States.

The 193-member General Assembly passed the resolution by 182 votes in favour and 2 against marking the 20th year in a row that the body has approved such a measure. While the United States and its ally Israel voted against the measure, the Pacific states of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau abstained.

The resolution urged all states who have imposed sanctions to take necessary steps to repeal or invalidate them as soon as possible in accordance with their legal regime. Ahmed said that the steps taken by the US Administration in January 2011 to reduce restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba are positive developments. He, however, said much more needs to be done. Moving the resolution in the world body, the foreign minister of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez said that nearly half a century old US embargo on Cuba has brought immense suffering for its people. It has severely undermined the progress and development of the country.