Ireland: Envoy’s Statement Stirs Controversy, Not Violation

The recent actions of the Indian Ambassador to Ireland, Akhilesh Mishra, have sparked controversy due to his letter to an Irish newspaper defending Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and criticizing the opposition in India. This situation has prompted the Congress party, led by Jairam Ramesh, to call for the ambassador’s dismissal, citing a breach of service rules and accusing him of unprofessional behavior.

Mishra’s letter responded to a critical editorial in The Irish Times that addressed PM Modi’s leadership and the state of Indian democracy. In his response, Mishra praised PM Modi’s integrity and global popularity while attributing Modi’s success to his efforts in combating corruption created by the long-standing rule of the Congress party.

The Indian Embassy in Ireland further drew attention to the issue by posting details of the ambassador’s rejoinder on social media. This move attracted additional scrutiny due to the ambassador’s deviation from the expected political neutrality of diplomats.

A senior ex-diplomat commented on the situation, acknowledging the ambassador’s accurate representation of PM Modi’s achievements but suggesting that he should have been more cautious in his critique of the Congress party. He emphasized that as a diplomat, one must maintain a non-political and non-ideological stance when representing their country abroad.

IFS service rules emphasize the importance of political neutrality and upholding democratic values, as outlined in the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules of 1964. The Ministry of External Affairs has not yet released an official statement on the matter. The situation highlights the delicate balance diplomats must maintain between supporting their home country’s leadership and adhering to the expectation of impartiality.