Western Envoys' Joint Criticism of Russia Sparks Diplomatic Tension Ahead of Putin's India Visit

Russian President Putin is scheduled to visit India tomorrow for diplomatic talks.

New Delhi has expressed displeasure regarding a joint opinion article published by three Western envoys to India—representatives from the UK, France, and Germany—just before Russian President Vladimir Putin's scheduled arrival.

Senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs have indicated their awareness of the article published in The Times of India. They described the timing as "very unusual" and stated that "it is not an acceptable diplomatic practice to give public advice on India's relations with a third country."

The collaborative piece, authored by French Ambassador Thierry Mathou, German High Commissioner Philipp Ackermann, and UK High Commissioner Lindy Cameron, carries the headline "World Wants The Ukraine War To End, But Russia Doesn't Seem Serious About Peace."

In their article, the diplomats criticize President Putin regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Addressing drone and missile strikes, they state: "These are not the actions of someone that is serious about peace. Neither are these indiscriminate attacks mere accidents - they are a systematic choice by Russia to wage its war of aggression with absolute ruthlessness. And it must end." The envoys accuse Moscow of avoiding meaningful negotiations and refusing to agree to a ceasefire.

The three diplomats have written that their governments—all NATO members—will continue to provide "ironclad support" to Ukraine. "As President Putin stalls and delays on serious peace talks, we will continue to step up our military and non-military support to Ukraine, so that it can rightly defend its people, its land and its sovereignty," they declare.

The article's timing is particularly notable as it was published shortly before the Russian President's arrival in Delhi for the annual India-Russia summit at Prime Minister Modi's invitation.

Prior to his visit, Putin has expressed that Moscow aims to "elevate cooperation" with India and China to a "qualitatively new level." He stated: "We aim to elevate cooperation with the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India to a qualitatively new level by strengthening its technological component. This is the objective of numerous joint projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture, and other sectors."

Since the commencement of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, India has maintained a balanced diplomatic stance, refusing to align with any particular side while safeguarding its strategic interests. Prime Minister Modi has consistently stated that "this is not an era of war" and called for the cessation of military hostilities. Russia remains India's steadfast ally, while New Delhi also maintains strong relationships with NATO members, including the United States, which has imposed sanctions on Moscow over the war. India has skillfully balanced these relationships in a complex diplomatic maneuver.

India has previously defended its trade relations with Russia, including petroleum purchases, despite Western sanctions. Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar had remarked that the West needs to move beyond the perspective that "Europe's problems are the world's problems, but the world's problems are not Europe's problems."