Sam Pitroda's China remark sparks political storm; Congress says 'not our views'

Indian Overseas Congress leader Sam Pitroda has stirred up a massive political storm after he sought to downplay the Chinese threat to India.

The Congress was quick to clarify that Pitroda's views did not reflect the party's stand.

"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," Congress communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh wrote on 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," he said.

Ramesh went on to add that it's "extremely regrettable" that Parliament is being denied an opportunity to discuss the situation and express a collective resolve to meet these challenges effectively.

The BJP, however, alleged that Pitroda's statements symbolise the mindset of the Congress.

BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said Pitroda's remarks were in line with the Congress leaders' earlier statements in support of China.

Pitroda reportedly said that he does not understand the threat India faces from China, claiming that it is often blown out of proportion.

"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 said in an interview to news agency IANS.

Trivedi remarked that it appears from the Congress leader's comments that India is the aggressor.

Pitroda has a penchant for controversy. He was removed as the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress after his comments on India's diversity sparked an outrage.

He was, however, reinstated after a month after he explained the context of his remarks.