The Congress party has distanced itself from senior leader Sam Pitroda’s contentious remark that “China is not our enemy.” The comment, which evoked a sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), compelled Congress to come out with a clarification, stating that Pitroda’s opinions do not represent the party’s official stand on China.
Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh tweeted on X (formerly Twitter) to respond to the controversy. “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 tweeted.
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. The INC has repeatedly raised questions on the Modi Govt’s… pic.twitter.com/vVjjc9pQbT
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 17, 2025
Controversial Comment by Sam Pitroda
In a recent interview with news agency IANS, Pitroda said that India needs to change its strategy towards China and refrain from assuming hostility. “I believe that we should reverse that trend to presume that China is the enemy since day one. It is not only to China, but to everyone. I do not know what is the threat from China. I believe this problem is exaggerated because the US has the tendency to define an enemy,” he said.
His comments have drawn criticism, particularly as they contradict Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent assertion in Parliament that India had lost territory to China—an allegation the central government has strongly denied.
Congress’ History of Pitroda’s Controversial Statements
This is not the first time that Pitroda’s words have put Congress in the soup. Last year, he made some comments on India’s diversity that resulted in charges of racism and colonial thinking. Consequently, he was stripped of his role as Chairman of the Overseas Indian Congress for more than a month. But he was reinstated in June after explaining the context of his remarks and asserting that they were being misinterpreted by the BJP.
Jairam Ramesh at that time had said that Pitroda had promised Congress leaders that he would refrain from making provocative statements in the future. Pitroda later refuted Ramesh, calling it his personal viewpoint.
BJP’s Strong Reaction
BJP was quick to jump on Pitroda’s statement, holding Congress responsible for favoring China’s interests at the cost of India’s sovereignty. BJP spokesman Pradeep Bhandari labeled the remark a “very deep blow to India’s identity, diplomacy, and sovereignty.”
“Rahul Gandhi’s right-hand man Sam Pitroda: ‘China is not our enemy’! This man sings endless praises of China while Congress party’s signing of an MoU in 2008 reveals a cozy betrayal of India’s interests and prioritizing China’s! It’s crazy how Congress always manages to keep China and Pakistan’s interests above ours,” Bhandari said.
With Pitroda’s remark having created a new political storm, Congress is now in damage control mode, reiterating its China policy. The party continues to walk the tightrope of national security while deflecting the BJP’s charge leading up to key elections.
