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 India |  Kosovo |
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India andKosovo do not have official relations as India has not formally recognized Kosovo.
WhenKosovo issued independence fromSerbia in 2008, India was one of the countries that did not recognize the independence of Kosovo. In January 2009, Ajay Swarup stated that "India will supportSerbia on the issue of protection of her sovereignty in all international forums".[1]
The row between the two started in 2018 when the Indian government refused to give a visa toDonjeta Sadiku and her coaches to compete in a boxing competition despite getting the full backing of the Boxing Federation of India and theIndian Olympic Association. This prompted retaliation from theIOC as they threatened to revoke India's bids over2030 Asian Games and2032 Summer Olympics.[2]
Despite this,India however, has maintained a pragmatic approach overKosovo, which not recognizing but not denying Kosovo's existence, and several Kosovans have expressed their interest to experience official relations with India.[3]
In November 2022, India-Kosovo Commercial Economic Office, a trade office independent of the Government of India and in association with theMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, was opened inNew Delhi and is headed by a private citizen. Despite the opening of the office,Ministry of External Affairs of India spokespersonArindam Bagchi reiterated in a statement that there would be no change in India's position of non-recognition of Kosovo's independence.[4]
The India-Kosovo Trade Commerce Economic Office (IKCEO), which was inaugurated in New Delhi in November 2023, demonstrated prospective trading possibilities. The ceremony however has not been interpreted by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs as a change in policy, and that New Delhi would not recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state. This choice is consistent with those set forth by India’s more general diplomatic policies and its traditional relations with Serbia and the former Yugoslavia[5]
Kosovo has actively pursued this goal in the Indian diaspora as well. Most Kosovans, and specifically students and professionals, wanted to reach out and work with Indian educational and industrial establishments. The know-how that the country possesses being a third world country and the eventual aim of all the Kosovans has been to study in the foreign brands has made India one of the most sought after countries. Some of these contacts have been made through private initiatives, which stress how relations can be built through citizens in the absence of formal diplomatic recognition.
At times, such non-recognition of Kosovo by other countries in the region has led to problems in multilateral platforms of engagement. For instance, Kosovo generally has to seek special arrangements since its citizens’ participation in sporting or cultural events requires one. In A 2018 sports event where a Kosovo born sportsman couldn’t be given entry permits to travel to compete in India invited the ire and condemnation not just from the International Olympic Committee but other international bodies representing athlete’s rights from other partially recognised states. Such an occurrence illustrated the difficulties of adhering to the international standards while operating under stringent foreign policy.[6]
It is also noted that the position of India has remained unchanged by stating that it recognises its policy on Kosovo within the framework of international law. While arguing at the United Nations and other forums, Indian delegates have invoked the necessity of settlement by negotiation, and the need to avoid unilateral precedents that could be game changers. This position is shared by many other countries that also have abstained from recognition of Kosovo such as Russia and China, thus placing India in a larger bloc of countries that give emphasize to security concerns over recognition.
In recent years, there have been increasing conversations within Kosovo about the strategic importance of engaging countries such as India that are considered to be critical on the world stage. Kosovo has sought to promote itself as a partner in technology, education and tourism. Even without diplomatic relations, Kosovan firms took part in business fairs in India and promoted products such as artisanal products, bio-food, and electronic functions. These activities, though few, point towards an expansion of economic connections that can be pursued without regard to the persistent political stalemate.
On the other hand, some observers who are not happy with India’s stand on Kosovo recognition argue that the issue of Kosovo recognition by India should be reconsidered, as a more flexible approach may allow India to exert its influence in the Balkans. Recognition proponents describe the prospects of Kosovo diplomatic engagement as it will enable India to enhance its status as a realistic and flexible power in the international arena. But critics believe that such an intention can breed some domestic instability particularly in the areas where separate movements are strong.
With the changing political dynamics around the globe, this is the situation where all the countries have to find a middle path between their ideals and real politics which has to a large extent represented by the India Kosovo relationship. Though India continues to advocate for the policy of non-recognition, the country’s readiness to indirectly cooperate with Kosovo in the sphere of culture and economy makes it clear that in today’s world it is not enough to rely only on official diplomatic relations. Rather, there are other informal ways to unite people across trade, education and technology which could help develop intercultural relations in complex geopolitical situations.[7]
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