The U.S. pressured India to recognize Kosovo's independence early, but New Delhi worried that a parallel would be drawn between Kosovo and Kashmir, U.S. Embassy cables published by Wikileaks and reported Monday by Indian daily The Hindu have revealed.

Even before Kosovo's unilateral declaration of Independence in February 2008, U.S. Ambassador to India David Mulford urged India to join the United States and “key European countries in recognizing Kosovo's independence.

“Recognition from India would indicate global solidarity and help stave off instability in Kosovo and the region,” the cable quotes the Ambassador as having said.

Diplomatic analysis in the cable suggests there were two political tensions that will make the Indian government lean against recognition of Kosovo - India's historical alignment with Russia and, more importantly, the Indian government's fear that Kosovo independence will set a precedent for Kashmir independence.

The U.S., on the other hand, noted that “the situation in Kosovo presents a unique situation that sets no precedent, and that recognition will help stabilize a region fraught with challenges."