Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: A joint opinion piece by the UK, France and Germany’s envoys to India — criticising Russian President Vladimir Putin just days before his scheduled visit for the India-Russia summit — has drawn sharp displeasure from New Delhi. Top officials in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the timing “very unusual” and stressed that giving public advice to India on its relations with a third country is “not acceptable diplomatic practice.”
Article Targets Russian War Strategy; Calls Russia “Not Serious About Peace”
Published in The Times of India, the op-ed by French Ambassador Thierry Mathou, German High Commissioner Philipp Ackermann and UK High Commissioner Lindy Cameron accuses Moscow of prolonging the Ukraine conflict through “ruthless” missile and drone attacks. It says Russia refuses meaningful negotiations or a ceasefire, and warns that the three NATO members will continue “ironclad support” for Ukraine, including expanded military and non-military aid.
India Sees Timing As Strategic; Diplomatic Stakes High Before Putin Visit
The article appears just before President Putin’s trip to Delhi for the annual bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Before the visit, Putin reiterated Russia’s goal of elevating cooperation with India and China to a “qualitatively new level” across sectors like energy, space, industry and agriculture. New Delhi has maintained strategic balance since the Ukraine war began in 2022 — refraining from joining blocs while calling for an end to hostilities. India has defended its continued energy and trade engagement with Russia despite Western sanctions.
