Congress Faces Sam Pitroda Dilemma Again As His China Remarks Spark Fresh Debate
Senior Congress leader and former advisor to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, has once again stirred controversy in India with his recent remarks on China. His assertion that China is “not our enemy” has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP and forced Congress to publicly distance itself from his views. The latest episode underscores a recurring pattern of controversial statements from the Overseas Congress leader that have increasingly become a liability for the party.
In an interview with IANS, Pitroda suggested that India should reconsider its perception of China as a hostile power. “I think we need to change that pattern to assume that China is the enemy from day one. It is not just to China, but to everyone… I don’t know what is the threat from China. I think this issue is often blown out of proportion because the US has the habit of defining an enemy,” he stated. Given ongoing border tensions between India and China, these remarks triggered immediate political backlash. The ruling BJP of Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Congress of being soft on China and questioned its commitment to national security.
Congress’s communications head, Jairam Ramesh, was quick to issue a clarification on X, asserting that Pitroda’s views did not reflect the party’s position. “The views reported by Shri Sam Pitroda on China are certainly not the views of the Indian National Congress. China remains our biggest foreign policy, external security, and economic challenge,” he wrote.
“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 said.
This is not the first time Pitroda has courted controversy. In May 2024, he faced allegations of racism after commenting on India’s diversity, stating that people in different regions resemble Chinese, Arabs, Europeans, or Africans. The backlash led to his resignation from his post as Chairman of the Overseas Indian Congress, though he was later reinstated.
Earlier in 2024, Pitroda also proposed the introduction of an inheritance tax in India, arguing that substantial wealth should be taxed upon inheritance. The suggestion was met with fierce opposition, including from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who demanded clarity on Congress’s stance regarding wealth redistribution.
In 2019, Pitroda stirred controversy with his remarks on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, responding with “hua to hua” (“it happened, so what?”), which many perceived as insensitive. His comments on the Balakot airstrikes, where he questioned their legitimacy and sought evidence, further alienated political opponents.
The Congress has struggled to manage the fallout from Pitroda’s repeated gaffes. While his contributions to India’s telecommunications revolution are widely acknowledged, his unpredictable statements have increasingly forced the party into damage control mode.
