Spain is set to replace its ambassador to India, Juan Antonio March Pujol, amid growing concerns over the use of embassy funds for cultural events and potential misuse of public resources. The decision comes after a series of complaints and internal reports highlighted irregularities in how March managed financial aspects of cultural initiatives, raising eyebrows among both domestic and international observers. March, who assumed his post in New Delhi in September 2024, is expected to be replaced within weeks. The Spanish government has initiated discussions with India to secure formal approval for his successor, Alfredo Martínez Serrano, currently serving as Spain’s ambassador to Canada. According to reports, the transition will take place soon, with the Indian authorities yet to formally agree to the new appointment. A seasoned diplomat with nearly three decades of service, March has held numerous high-profile roles throughout his career. He previously served as Spain’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva from 2004 to 2007 and later to Russia from 2007 to 2011. During his tenure, he also represented Spain in countries such as Armenia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. His diplomatic career includes postings in London, Rome, and Mexico, along with involvement in international cooperation and multilateral affairs. In addition to his governmental duties, March has contributed to the private sector, holding positions at Abertis and ECIJA, and has authored books on international relations and global trends. The controversy surrounding March began with the organisation of concerts in Rajasthan, featuring a local dance group and two vocalists, Spanish tenor Joan Laínez and Chinese-German soprano Zhu Huiling. These events were planned without prior approval from Madrid and were subsequently blocked by Spain’s international development agency, AECID, after an internal report raised alarms. The report suggested that the embassy intended to fund these performances through external sponsors, including the Rajasthan state government and Spanish companies operating in India, using a tiered sponsorship model that bypassed direct embassy funding. This structure reportedly ensured that the money never passed through embassy accounts under the supervision of the ministry. Further complications arose when it was revealed that Zhu Huiling received €18,000 from the Spanish embassy in New Delhi for concerts held in 2025. Additional performances were scheduled for 2026, with the final concert coinciding with her birthday. Reports suggest a close personal relationship between the ambassador and the singer, with some sources alleging that Zhu has been a long-term romantic partner of March. The situation escalated when the Spanish embassy’s cultural attaché alerted Madrid to the planned fundraising efforts for future events, prompting further scrutiny. The controversy also extended to other activities involving March. The newspaper The Objective reported that he published two English-language books during his time in India and sought official travel authorization to promote them at literary events, including the Jaipur Literature Festival. While Spanish law allows civil servants to publish and earn royalties with proper approval, critics questioned the appropriateness of using public resources to promote personal works. Additionally, March’s daughter, Milena March Franzi, holds a Spanish diplomatic passport and participated in business and cultural events in India, including a branding workshop hosted by an Indian film executive. An anonymous former Spanish ambassador alleged that March leveraged his position to connect his daughter with business contacts, drawing comparisons to the case of former ambassador Raúl Morodo, who was later convicted in a separate scandal. As the Spanish government moves forward with the replacement of March, the focus remains on ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of embassy finances and cultural initiatives. The process of selecting and approving a new ambassador continues, with the hope of restoring trust and maintaining the integrity of diplomatic operations in India.
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