India has pledged support to Serbia in the UN General Assembly next month over the issue of Kosovo's independence.
In an interview to TOI, visiting Serbian foreign minister Vuk Jeremic said India has promised to vote in favour of Serbia which is seeking UNGA's approval to refer Kosovo's "illegal" independence to the International Court of Justice at Hague.
Kosovo had unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in February. Out of the 192 UN nations, only 47, including the US, have recognised Kosovo's independence, but Russia, China and India have opposed it.
The UN general committee had earlier accepted Serbia's request but the final outcome is subject to a vote by all UN nations in UNGA.
"India like other nations has a single vote but this single vote carries a lot of weight. I met foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee and our position on the issue has been received here with deep understanding. Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence is an ethnically motivated attempt to secede in defiance of international law," said Jeremic, who is the first foreign minister of Serbia to visit India.
Kosovo's independence has polarised the world with many believing that the Russia-Georgia war too is a fallout of the happenings in Kosovo.
Serbia's ally Russia recognised the independence of two of Georgia's republics apparently in retaliation to the US recognition of Kosovo's independence.
"We have only used peaceful and legal means to deal with Kosovo. We have neither used force nor imposed economic sanctions. Some of the countries are even against our going to the UN and this we believe is an attempt to deny our fundamental right to ask questions," said Jeremic.
"Most of the countries are supporting us and we believe that if the matter goes to the International Court of Justice, it would freeze the number of nations recognising Kosovo. We have taken a lot of legal advice before undertaking this and believe that Kosovo will have only two options after the court gives its verdict — either be completely isolated or come to the table and discuss it with us," added Jeremic.
