Kosovo Dispute and India’s Position
In February 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia, a decision that has been a source of tension in international relations. India is one of the notable countries that chose not to recognize Kosovo's independence. Following this declaration, in January 2009, Indian official Ajay Swarup reaffirmed India's stance by stating that "India will support Serbia on the issue of protection of her sovereignty in all international forums." This statement illustrates New Delhi's commitment to maintaining its support for Serbia's territorial integrity in the face of growing international recognition of Kosovo as an independent state.
Tensions between India and Kosovo escalated significantly in 2018, following a visa dispute that underscored the complexities of India-Kosovo relations. This incident arose when the Indian government denied a visa to Donjeta Sadiku, an athlete from Kosovo, along with her coaches, who sought to participate in an international boxing competition. Despite receiving endorsements from key Indian sporting bodies, such as the Boxing Federation of India and the Indian Olympic Association, the refusal to grant the visa led to a diplomatic spat. The issue was further exacerbated when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) threatened to reconsider India's bids to host the 2030 Asian Games and the 2032 Summer Olympics, emphasizing the potential ramifications of the dispute for India's sporting aspirations.
Despite the lack of formal recognition, India has adopted a pragmatic approach towards Kosovo. While it has not openly acknowledged Kosovo's independence, it has also refrained from denying Kosovo's existence as a political entity. This delicately balanced stance has allowed for some level of engagement. Notably, there has been interest expressed by various Kosovans wishing to foster official relations with India, indicating a desire for economic and cultural ties beyond political recognition.
In a significant move towards enhancing economic relations, the India-Kosovo Commercial Economic Office was established in New Delhi in November 2022. This trade office operates independently of the Indian government and is affiliated with Kosovo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, being overseen by a private citizen. Even with the establishment of this office, the spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, emphasized that India's official stance on non-recognition of Kosovo's independence remains unchanged. This indicates that while both parties seek practical avenues for cooperation, deep-seated political differences continue to shape the trajectory of India-Kosovo relations.