Kosovo, Taiwan, Somaliland & Other Nations Not Recognised By India

By Maleeva Rebello

Kosovo’s boxer Donjeta Sadiku was denied a visa for the Women’s World Boxing Championship as the disputed nation is not recognised by India. Here are some other countries that don’t make the cut.

Image: Getty

Most UN member states consider Abkhazia as a legal part of Georgia. However, the Republic of Abkhazia is a self-proclaimed nation since the 1980s which has only been recognised by Russia, Syria, Nicaragua and Venezuela. India does not recognise the Eurasian country as it is not a part of the UN.

Officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan is not recognised by India. The country only officially acknowledges the People’s Republic of China. Taiwan is the largest economy that is not a part of the United Nations (UN), which is why India chooses to not recognise it. Interestingly, between 1947 and 1950, for a brief time, Taiwan was recognised by India before being shunned again.

Somaliland has sought international recognition as an independent state since 1991. No foreign government, including India, recognises its sovereignty, but many effectively acknowledge the region as separate from Somalia. Only South Africa, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Belgium, France, South Sudan, Kenya, and the UAE accept the nation’s passport.

Another disputed territory which is considered part of Georgia, the Republic of South Ossetia is also not recognised by India. The state declared its independence from Georgia in 1991 but has not yet been recognised by the UN.

The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a partially recognised state that claims the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara. While the region maintains diplomatic relations with 40 UN states, the UN has not granted it recognition. Between 1985 and 2000, it was recognised by India, only to be derecognised later. Only 85 countries recognise it.