The reactions to the Armenian Tragedy, both within the Entente and Central Powers, were varied.
Among the Entente powers, mainly Russia, Britain, and France, there was a severe condemnation of the Ottoman Empire's actions. They denounced the Ottomans as savages and inhumane, accusing them of inflicting brutality against the Armenians. The Russian Empire, in particular, vowed to hold those responsible for the genocide on trial and promised to ensure their execution. The United States, though officially neutral in the conflict so far, was influenced by the journalist reports of Armenian suffering and joined in the condemnation against the Ottoman Empire.
In contrast, the reactions within the Central Powers, particularly Germany and Austria-Hungary, were characterized by indifference and denial. Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany downplayed reports of Armenian killings, dismissing them as propaganda orchestrated by the Entente powers to to tarnish the reputation of the Ottoman Empire and undermine the Central Powers' war efforts.
Similarly, Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary downplayed the significance of the Armenian Tragedy, likening it to legitimate "police action" taken to suppress internal dissent. He argued that the Ottomans were justified in taking measures to combat what they perceived as an existential threat. He likened it to actions taken by his own empire to quell Pan-Slavic sentiment in Bosnia and downplayed its severity, and blamed the Entente for exaggerating the situation.
India, under the leadership of Consul Jindan Kaur, navigated a delicate balance in its response to the Armenian Tragedy. While refraining from outright public denouncement of the Ottomans, Jindan Kaur expressed her displeasure to the Ottomans via diplomatic conversations, though it was driven more by pragmatism than moral outrage.
India's involvement in the war was framed, by the Confederal Government, as a righteous struggle against the Entente's imperialism and oppression. However, if reports came out about these killings, it would tarnish the perception of the war as a just and noble endeavor. These reports would erode public support for the conflict, leading to disillusionment and unrest. This, in turn, could undermine recruitment efforts, weaken morale among the troops on the front lines, and even spark anti-war protests on the Home Front.
Recognizing the importance of optics and public perception, Jindan Kaur brokered a deal with the Ottomans to spare Armenian lives by facilitating their deportation to India. This agreement, though it did not end the killing entirely, saved thousands from a far worse fate and mitigated some fallout from the Armenian Tragedy.