Madrid has initiated the process to replace its Ambassador to India, Juan Antonio March Pujol, following an escalating anti-corruption probe. The senior diplomat faces allegations of financial improprieties, misuse of public funds, and unauthorized corporate dealings during his tenure in New Delhi.
Probe Details Emerge
The investigation, which began as an internal review within Spain's Foreign Ministry, intensified after a report was submitted to the Spanish Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office in late May. This development was first reported by the Spanish digital outlet, The Objective.
Central to the allegations are claims that Ambassador March Pujol utilized embassy funds to sponsor cultural performances. He is specifically accused of promoting an an international singer for events in India, despite the artist reportedly having no formal ties to Spain, using public money for this purpose.
Alleged Deal with Visa Firm
Further inquiry suggests March Pujol brokered a personal arrangement with BLS, the Indian company responsible for managing visa processing services for the Spanish embassy in New Delhi and several other Spanish missions globally. Under this alleged deal, BLS reportedly contributed 5,000 euros towards a cultural event organized in Rajasthan.
Diplomatic Career and Current Status
Juan Antonio March Pujol, born in February 1958, is a seasoned diplomat with decades of international experience within the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He assumed the role of Spanish envoy in New Delhi in June 2024. With Madrid moving to replace its top diplomat, attention now shifts to the outcome of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office's ongoing investigation into the financial transactions and administrative conduct at the embassy.