Spain has started the process of replacing its ambassador to India, Juan Antonio March Pujol, following allegations of financial favours from an Indian company and misuse of public funds
Spain has begun the process of replacing its ambassador to India, Juan Antonio March Pujol, following allegations that he received financial favours from an Indian company and used public funds for cultural events, The Economic Times reported on Friday.
The move reportedly followed a complaint submitted by Spain’s Foreign Ministry to the country’s Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office in late May, according to Spanish digital outlet The Objective, as cited by ET.
Allegations over cultural events
According to The Objective, March allegedly used funds from the Spanish Embassy in India and sought financial support from businesses to organise events promoting international singers who had no connection with Spain.
The report also alleged that March personally reached an agreement with BLS International Services Limited for a €5,000 contribution towards a cultural event in Rajasthan.
BLS International provides outsourced visa processing services for the Spanish Embassy in India and other Spanish diplomatic missions around the world.
March’s appointment as ambassador to India
March was appointed Spain’s ambassador to India in June 2024, returning to the diplomatic service after an absence of more than 12 years.
The Diplomat in Spain reported at the time that his appointment was approved by Indian authorities following a five-month wait.
His appointment came after then-Spanish ambassador to India Jose Maria Ridao sought to leave his post in New Delhi in December 2023. March was also reported to have close ties with former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and former Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.
A long diplomatic career
March joined Spain’s diplomatic service in 1987 after graduating in law from the University of Barcelona in 1981.
Before his posting to India, he served as Spain’s ambassador to Russia from 2007 to 2011.
His career also included several European and international assignments. He served as a member of the cabinet of former European Commissioner Claude Cheysson, the European Union’s permanent delegate to the OECD Development Assistance Committee in Paris and director general for Cooperation with Latin America.
From 2004 to 2007, March served in Geneva as Spain’s permanent representative to the United Nations and ambassador to the World Trade Organization.
Role in UN art project
During his time in Geneva, March was involved in Spain’s proposal to finance the renovation of Room XX at the UN Palace of Nations, later renamed the Human Rights Room.
The project included the construction of a dome designed by Spanish artist Miquel Barcelo. The Spanish government initially allocated €16.6 million for the project, but the final cost rose above €20 million, according to The Diplomat in Spain.
The project also received €500,000 from Spain’s Development Assistance Fund.
In 2017, then Court of Accounts president Ramón Álvarez de Miranda raised concerns in Spain’s Congress over the government’s contribution to the project. He said the planned state contribution of €5 million in 2008 eventually rose to €11.5 million due to increased costs and lower-than-expected private contributions.
March attended the dome’s inauguration in 2008 as vice president of the ONUART Foundation while serving as Spain’s ambassador to Russia. He later became president of the foundation, a position he held until February 2024.
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