India has strongly objected to an opinion article jointly written by the envoys of Britain, France and Germany that criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin days before his scheduled arrival in New Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has termed the article “unacceptable and unusual”, signalling clear displeasure over what it considers a breach of diplomatic norms. The controversy has deepened further after Russia’s ambassador to India published a counter-article in the same newspaper, challenging the claims made by the three European diplomats.
The British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, French Ambassador Thierry Mathou and German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann had jointly authored an article in The Times of India earlier this week. Their piece directly blamed Putin for the continuing war in Ukraine and accused Moscow of prolonging the conflict despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. The article stated that Russia’s military actions were not accidental or defensive but a deliberate display of force carried out with complete disregard for civilian harm.
Titled World Wants The Ukraine War To End, But Russia Doesn’t Seem Serious About Peace, the article alleged that Russia had intensified attacks even as peace discussions progressed. The envoys wrote that nearly two dozen of the largest air strikes of the conflict had taken place after negotiations began, adding that such actions indicated a lack of seriousness from Moscow.
The diplomats argued that only Putin had the authority to halt the conflict and claimed that he had deliberately avoided meaningful peace talks while contributing to wider global instability. They also accused Russia of engaging in disruptive cyber operations and spreading disinformation that went beyond the battlefield in Ukraine. According to them, these actions showed that Moscow sought broader geopolitical influence and territorial expansion.
The article also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier comments on the conflict, citing his statement that a solution could not be found on the battlefield. The envoys presented this remark as evidence that India, too, wanted an end to hostilities.
The timing and content of the article, however, drew a sharp response from New Delhi. Putin is due to arrive in India on Thursday for a two-day state visit, during which he will hold the 23rd India-Russia summit with Modi. The MEA took serious note of the article and considered it a diplomatic overreach.
Speaking to The Hindu, a senior MEA official said the piece violated established diplomatic practice. The official noted that criticising a third country’s leader in the local media of another sovereign nation, especially ahead of a high-level visit, was outside the bounds of acceptable behaviour.
Former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal also criticised the envoys’ article, calling it a breach of diplomatic conduct and an affront to India. He said it amounted to interference in India’s external relations by attempting to influence public opinion about Russia. Sibal argued that the intent appeared to be to stir anti-Russia sentiment within Indian discourse and to question the legitimacy of New Delhi’s long-standing ties with Moscow.
India’s reaction reflects its careful foreign policy approach, particularly on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While maintaining strategic partnerships with Western nations, India has continued to engage closely with Russia, citing national interest and long-standing defence, energy and technological cooperation. New Delhi has consistently avoided taking sides and has instead emphasised dialogue, diplomacy and the need for both parties to find a peaceful resolution.
The publication of the article by the three European envoys is seen as an attempt to apply pressure on India to publicly shift its stance. However, the MEA’s response indicates that the government views such interventions as inappropriate and counterproductive. Indian officials argue that decisions on foreign policy are made independently and cannot be dictated by external actors.
Meanwhile, Russia’s ambassador to India has now published his own article in the same newspaper, directly countering the criticism made by the three European diplomats. While details of his response focus on disputing the claims in the earlier piece, the move signals Moscow’s intention to defend its position in the Indian public domain.
The episode highlights the complexity of India’s diplomatic balancing act. As global tensions rise, New Delhi finds itself navigating competing demands from major international players. While Western nations seek stronger alignment against Russia, India continues to maintain that its foreign policy will remain guided by national priorities rather than external pressure.
The MEA’s firm reaction suggests that India will continue to assert that diplomatic discourse must respect sovereignty and established norms, particularly when it involves commentary on relations with long-standing strategic partners.