The Indian Ambassador to Ireland, Akhilesh Mishra, finds himself at the center of a political storm following his response to an editorial in The Irish Times criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The editorial, titled ‘Modi tightens his grip’, accused PM Modi of fostering an intolerant Hindu-first majoritarianism and cracking down on free speech and opposition parties.
In his rejoinder, Ambassador Mishra defended PM Modi, labeling the editorial as “highly biased and prejudiced.” He attributed the Prime Minister’s popularity to his government’s vigorous anti-corruption efforts, targeting what he referred to as the “deeply entrenched ecosystem of corruption” left by decades of rule by a single dynastic party.
However, Mishra’s defense sparked outrage, particularly from the Congress party. Congress leaders condemned the Ambassador’s remarks, labeling them as biased and unprofessional. Jairam Ramesh, the Congress’s communications in-charge, criticized Mishra for openly attacking the opposition, stating that such behavior was unbecoming of a diplomatic representative.
The controversy escalated as Ramesh called for Mishra’s dismissal, accusing him of breaching service rules. He argued that Mishra’s actions were shameful and unacceptable, considering his status as a career diplomat.
The editorial’s criticism of PM Modi’s administration included references to recent events such as the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and allegations of tax cases against opposition leaders. The Indian embassy contested these claims, asserting that they cast unwarranted aspersions on the Prime Minister, Indian democracy, and law enforcement institutions.
Criticism of Mishra’s defense extended beyond political circles, with netizens expressing dismay over what they perceived as the Ambassador’s partisan stance. Some accused Indian embassies of aligning too closely with the ruling party, compromising their neutrality and diplomatic ethics.
The episode underscores the delicate balance diplomats must strike between defending their country’s interests and maintaining diplomatic decorum. Mishra’s remarks have reignited debates about the role of diplomatic missions in representing national interests abroad and the need for ambassadors to uphold impartiality in their dealings.
As the controversy rages on, it remains to be seen how the Indian government will address the fallout from Mishra’s comments and whether they will have any long-term implications for bilateral relations between India and Ireland.
