INDIA REMAINS UNCOMMITTED ON KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 000502 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2012 TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV YI EU IN SUBJECT: INDIA REMAINS UNCOMMITTED ON KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE REF: A. NEW DELHI 454 ¶B. STATE 15111 Classified By: PolCouns Ted Osius for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) Reporting on a joint UK-Germany demarche delivered February 14 to the Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West),Nalin Surie, British High Commission POLOFF Simon Atkinson told Post that India remains uncommitted on the question of recognizing Kosovo's expected declaration of independence. Surie stated that India was concerned about the ramifications for international law, Atkinson said, and inquired as to how much support there was from the European Union and Russia. Atkinson quoted Surie as saying he appreciated hearing the UK-German position, but that India had not yet taken a decision. ¶2. (C) Comment. Post offers this report as a supplement to our own direct discussions with the GOI, reported in Ref A. As that cable reported, Post believes India's historical alignment with Russia and concern over a precedent being set which could affect the question of Kashmir will make the GOI lean against recognition of Kosovo. WHITE