Madrid has initiated proceedings to replace its ambassador to India, Juan Antonio March Pujol, amidst an escalating anti-corruption investigation. The probe, which began as an internal review within Spain's Foreign Ministry, centers on allegations of financial improprieties and misuse of public funds during his tenure in New Delhi.
Allegations of Misuse and Corporate Favors
Ambassador March Pujol stands accused of deploying embassy funds and leveraging corporate backchannels to sponsor cultural performances. Specific allegations include using public money to promote an international singer for events in India, despite the artist reportedly having no formal ties to Spain.
Further claims suggest that March Pujol brokered a personal arrangement with BLS, a prominent Indian firm responsible for visa processing services for the Spanish embassy in New Delhi and other Spanish missions globally. Under this alleged deal, BLS reportedly contributed 5,000 euros towards a cultural event organized in Rajasthan.
Official Probe Initiated
The diplomatic shakeup follows a report submitted by the Spanish Foreign Ministry to the country's Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office in late May. These allegations were initially brought to light by the Spanish digital outlet, The Objective.
March Pujol, a seasoned diplomat born in February 1958, assumed his role as the Spanish envoy in New Delhi in June 2024. His extensive career includes decades of international postings within the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As Madrid moves forward with replacing its top diplomat, attention now turns to the comprehensive investigation by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office into the financial transactions and administrative conduct at the Spanish embassy in India.