New Delhi: Sam Pitroda, chairperson of the overseas unit of the Congress known for his tendency to make controversial statements, has stirred a fresh political row with his latest remarks that the “threat from China” is always “blown out of proportion”, prompting the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to demand a clarification from the opposition party.
In an interview with the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), Pitroda, who was reinstated as the Congress’s overseas chief after the last year’s Lok Sabha elections, suggested that China is often labelled a threat due to the tendency of the US to “define an enemy”.
“I don’t know what is the threat from China. I think this issue is always blown out of proportion because the US has the habit of defining an enemy,” Pitroda said.
“I think the time has come for all of us to network as nations, and not have confrontation. Our attitude has been of confrontation from day one and that attitude creates enemies and that creates certain support in the country. I think we need to change that pattern.”
He added that it is unfair to assume China is the enemy and advocated the need for greater collaboration among nations.
“To assume that China is the enemy from day one is just not fair, not just to China, but to anybody. I think it is time for us to increase communication, collaborate, cooperate and cocreate and not have this command control mindset,” Pitroda said.
“China is around, China is growing, recognise that, respect that and every other country is going to grow. Some will grow faster, some will grow slower. Those who are very poor have to grow fast. Those who are developed will have slower growth. Those who are developed will also have an aging population and those who are developing will have a younger population. Look at all of these things together,” he added.
The BJP wasted no time in opening a front against the Congress, seizing on Pitroda’s remarks.
At a press conference, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi described the Congress functionary’s remarks as a “deep blow” to India’s identity, diplomacy and sovereignty.
Trivedi also drew Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi into the row, alleging the latter had also made statements in the past reflecting the same line of thought.
“I want to ask the Congress party—is this not an insult to the martyrs of Galwan? At Galwan, our 20 soldiers were martyred, and your overseas chief speaks such language. It is condemnable and a grave insult to the Indian Army and the sacrifices of our soldiers,” Trivedi said.
The Congress was quick to distance itself from Pitroda’s remarks. Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said Pitroda’s views were not those of the party.
“The views reportedly expressed by Mr. Sam Pitroda on China are most definitely NOT the views of the Indian National Congress. China remains our foremost foreign policy, external security, as well as economic challenge,” Ramesh said on social media platform ‘X’.
“The INC has repeatedly raised questions on the Modi Govt’s approach to China, including the PM’s public clean chit to it on June 19, 2020. Our most recent statement on China was on 28th January, 2025. It is also extremely regrettable that Parliament is being denied an opportunity to discuss the situation and express a collective resolve to meet these challenges effectively,” he added.
Pitroda, a close aide of the Nehru-Gandhi family who worked closely with the late former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on telecommunication, has often made statements that sent the Congress scurrying for cover.
During the 2024 general elections, Pitroda landed the Congress in a spot after his remarks on India’s diversity and the need for a debate on inheritance tax went viral.
“We hold a country together as diverse as India where in the east people look like Chinese, people in west look like Arab, people in north look like white and in south look like Africa (sic). Doesn’t matter. We are all brothers and sisters,” Pitroda had told The Statesman.
In May 2024, Pitroda stepped down as the party’s overseas unit chief, even as the Congress distanced itself from his “unfortunate” and “unacceptable” remarks. However, within three weeks of the declaration of the election results in June, Pitroda was reappointed to the position by the party.
(Edited by Sugita Katyal)
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