New Delhi, December 4: India on Monday criticised envoys from the United Kingdom, France and Germany for authoring a joint newspaper article that blamed Russia for the war in Ukraine, calling the move a breach of diplomatic norms ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s visit.
The article, published on Dec. 1, accused Russia of showing “total disregard for human life” in Ukraine and alleged that Moscow was engaged in cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilising global security. It further claimed that Putin was “stalling” meaningful peace talks and pursuing territorial expansion.
Senior officials at India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the public criticism by the three envoys — UK High Commissioner Lindy Cameron, French Ambassador Thierry Mathou and German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann — as “unacceptable” and “very unusual.”
“It is not an acceptable diplomatic practice to give public advice on third-country relations. We have taken note of it,” a senior MEA official said.
Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal accused the Western diplomats of “public grandstanding with an overt propagandist intent,” saying the article amounted to interference in India’s internal affairs. He urged the MEA to publicly convey its displeasure.
The diplomatic friction comes as India and Russia prepare to sign a mobility agreement that would allow large numbers of skilled and semi-skilled Indian workers to take up jobs in Russia. Moscow is grappling with acute labour shortages as the war in Ukraine prompts workers from neighbouring countries to avoid the Russian market.
Indian officials said New Delhi was not imposing any cap on the number of workers Russia may hire, noting that demand would be driven by private firms.
The issue will be discussed at a conclave on Dec. 3 organised by India’s World magazine and the MEA. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to address the event, along with German Ambassador Ackermann and Australia’s High Commissioner Philip Green.
The Western envoys’ article, titled “World wants the Ukraine war to end, but Russia doesn’t seem serious about peace,” said Moscow’s attacks were part of a “systematic choice” to wage war with “absolute ruthlessness,” alleging that Russia’s ambitions extended far beyond Ukraine.
Russian President Putin is expected in New Delhi this week for high-level discussions with Indian leadership.
