142815: India still non-committal on Kosovo independence

Post believes India's historical alignment with Russia and concern over setting a precedent which could affect the question of Kashmir are causing the GOI's reticence on the recognition of Kosovo.

April 04, 2011 01:51 am | Updated September 26, 2016 09:34 pm IST

142815 2/25/2008 9:25:00 AM 08NEWDELHI581 Embassy New Delhi CONFIDENTIAL 08NEWDELHI454|08NEWDELHI502|08SECSTATE16319 VZCZCXRO6164OO RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHPWDE RUEHNE #0581 0560925ZNY CCCCC ZZHO 250925Z FEB 08FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHITO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0590INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVERUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDCRUEAIIA/CIA WASHDCRHEHNSC/NSC WASHDCRUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DCRHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HIRUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 6074RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 7579RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDCRUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 000581 SIPDIS SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2018

TAGS: PREL, PGOV, IN

SUBJECT: INDIA STILL NON-COMMITTAL ON KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE

REF: A. SECSTATE 16319 B. NEW DELHI 454 C. NEW DELHI 502

Classified By: PolCouns Ted Osius for Reasons 1.4 (B,D)

1. (SBU) PolCouns delivered Ref A demarche to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary for Americas Gaitri Kumar and MEA Joint Secretary for Central Europe V. Ashok on February 21, neither of whom provided a substantive response. Post notes the MEA released the following statement on Kosovo February 18, 2008:

"India has a long standing and consistent policy on the issue of recognition. Recognition is normally accorded on the basis of a country having a defined territory, a duly constituted Government in charge which is accepted by the people and which has effective control over an area of governance.

It has been India's consistent position that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be fully respected by all states. We have believed that the Kosovo issue should have been resolved through peaceful means and through consultation and dialogue between the concerned parties.

We have taken note of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence by Kosovo. There are several legal issues involved in this Declaration. We are studying the evolving situation."

2. (C) Comment: As reported in reftels B and C, Post believes India's historical alignment with Russia and concern over setting a precedent which could affect the question of Kashmir are causing the GOI's reticence on the recognition of Kosovo. In recent days, Indian media has produced several stories on the subject with an angle relating Kosovo to Kashmir. Kashmir separatist Shabir Shah, leader of the pro-independence Democratic Freedom Party, said Kosovo's independence declaration has "strengthened our resolve to achieve freedom for Kashmir. Kosovo's independence is an indicator that struggles based on truth and justice never fail," according to press reports, adding that it would not be long before Kashmiris were free. Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani reportedly stated that he was delighted by Kosovo's independence proclamation, commenting that the "creation of a Muslim state within the European heartland has strengthened our resolve to achieve our right to self-determination." End comment. MULFORD

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