Sam Pitroda, head of Congress’ foreign affairs wing, sparked a controversy with his remarks in an interview with IANS. He stated that he does not view China as a threat and believes the issue is often exaggerated, particularly influenced by the U.S., which tends to label enemies. He expressed that the time has come for countries to cooperate, not clash. Following his statement, the ruling BJP launched an attack on Congress.
Pitroda’s comment suggested that India should stop considering China as an enemy, further fueling the debate. The BJP sharply reacted to this statement, accusing Congress of being “attracted to China.” Pitroda, who has a history of controversial remarks, also mentioned that India’s approach towards China has been confrontational, and the mindset needs to change.
Pitroda Responds to Modi and Trump’s Handling of China Threats
In his interview, Pitroda addressed the question of whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump could manage the threat posed by China. He responded by saying, “I don’t see China as a threat. I think the issue is often exaggerated, and the tendency in the U.S. is to define an enemy. It’s time for all countries to cooperate, not to clash.”
In response to Pitroda’s statement, BJP lashed out, stating that Congress’s fascination with China dates back to a 2008 memorandum of understanding between the Indian National Congress and the Chinese Communist Party.
BJP on Congress’s China Alignment:
BJP national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha remarked, “Those who handed over 40,000 square kilometers of our land to China, still don’t see any danger from the dragon. It’s no surprise that Rahul Gandhi is fearful of China and was advocating for the Belt and Road Initiative the day before the IEMEC announcement. The root of Congress’s obsession with China lies in the 2008 Congress-CCP MoU.”
Pitroda’s Other Controversial Statements:
- Advocated for inheritance laws (property distribution)
- Made objectionable remarks about the Ram Mandir
- Responded indifferently about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots by saying, It happened, it happened
- Questioned the Balakot airstrikes
- Stressed that Jawaharlal Nehru’s contributions in the creation of the Indian Constitution were more significant
