Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Spain moves to replace India ambassador over financial favour allegations
Spain's ambassador to India is a very important person who speaks for Spain in India.
Some people say he did not follow the rules about how to use government money.
They say he used Spanish embassy money to pay for concerts by singers who are not from Spain.
One singer from China is said to have received 18,000 euros from the embassy's cultural budget.
The ambassador said the singer's music was mostly Spanish songs, but other people disagree.
He also asked a company that handles Spanish visa applications to pay 5,000 euros for a show in a place called Rajasthan.
Spain's leaders are now checking if he broke the rules, and a special anti-corruption office is investigating.
Spain has started looking for a new ambassador, who might come from Canada.
We do not know yet if the ambassador did anything wrong, because the investigation is still going on.
Spain has begun the process of replacing its ambassador to India, Juan Antonio March Pujol, over alleged misuse of public funds and improper financial dealings.
Spain's Foreign Ministry referred a report on the diplomat to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office in late May, prompting an investigation.
March is accused of using embassy funds, including an alleged €18,000 payment, to promote international singers with no connection to Spain at cultural concerts.
He allegedly reached a personal agreement with visa-processing firm BLS International for a 5,000-euro contribution toward a cultural event in Rajasthan.
Alfredo Martínez Serrano, Spain's ambassador to Canada, is expected to take charge in New Delhi once India grants approval; reports do not establish that the allegations are proven.
- Who
- Juan Antonio March Pujol, Spain's ambassador to India, along with Spain's Foreign Ministry and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.
- What
- Spain initiated the process of replacing him over allegations of misuse of public funds and financial favours from visa firm BLS International.
- When
- A complaint was submitted to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office in late May; the replacement process was reported on Friday, and the investigation is ongoing.
- Where
- The Spanish Embassy in New Delhi, India, with a related cultural event in Rajasthan.
- Why
- He allegedly used embassy funds and business contributions to promote cultural concerts featuring international singers with no direct ties to Spain.
Accusation view
Diplomatic career view
Use of public funds for foreign artists
Accusation view
He used embassy funds, including an alleged €18,000 payment to Chinese mezzo-soprano Huiling Zhu, and sought business support to promote international singers with no connection to Spain, without informing the foreign ministry.
Diplomatic career view
The ambassador justified the public funding by arguing that Huiling's musical repertoire consisted mostly of Spanish lyric songs, and the reports do not establish that the allegations have been proven.
Agreement with BLS International
Accusation view
He personally brokered a 5,000-euro contribution from visa-processing firm BLS International toward a cultural event in Rajasthan, described by a former ambassador as an 'unprecedented scandal'.
Diplomatic career view
The arrangement was with a company that officially handles outsourced visa processing for Spanish missions, and the outcome of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office investigation is still pending.
- Accused diplomat
- Juan Antonio March Pujol, Spanish ambassador to India
- Appointment date
- June 2024
- Expected successor
- Alfredo Martínez Serrano, Spain's ambassador to Canada
- Core allegations
- Misuse of embassy funds and financial favours from an Indian company for cultural events
- Alleged BLS deal
- 5,000 euros toward a cultural event in Rajasthan
- Alleged artist payment
- 18,000 euros to Chinese mezzo-soprano Huiling Zhu from the embassy's cultural budget
- Complaint filed
- Late May, by Spain's Foreign Ministry to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office
- Status
- Replacement pending India's approval; investigation ongoing
- Career highlights
- In diplomatic service since 1987; ambassador to Russia 2007-2011; UN representative in Geneva 2004-2007
Sources
Spain moves to replace its Ambassador to India after row over funds for cultural concerts
Spain begins process to replace ambassador to India over alleged financial favours: Report
Spain moves to replace India ambassador over financial favour allegations: Report
