The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Congress party has expressed strong disapproval of remarks made by Akhilesh Mishra, the Indian Ambassador to Ireland, in a written response to The Irish Times, which the party described as partisan and unbecoming of a diplomat. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh demanded Mishra’s removal, labeling his behavior as disgraceful.
In his rejoinder dated April 11, Ambassador Mishra defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi against what he termed a “highly biased and prejudiced” editorial by the Irish publication. Mishra praised Modi’s global popularity and leadership, attributing it to his integrity and governance model, while criticizing the Congress party’s historical governance as fostering a corrupt ecosystem.
Ramesh condemned the Ambassador’s comments, asserting that while defending the Indian government is expected, openly attacking opposition parties in such a manner is inappropriate for an ambassador. He emphasized that Mishra’s actions were even more reprehensible given that he is a career diplomat, not a political appointee, making his partisan comments in violation of service rules.
The Congress leader’s strong reaction underscores the political sensitivities involved when diplomats speak on domestic issues abroad. The incident has sparked a debate on the role of diplomats in political discourse, especially concerning their neutrality and professionalism. The embassy has stood by Mishra’s statements, reiterating his critique of the editorial’s portrayal of Indian democracy and its leadership.
