Congress leader Sam Pitroda sparks controversy over “China not our enemy” remark; BJP slams party’s ‘obsession’

Pitroda questions India’s approach to China, faces backlash

Congress veteran Sam Pitroda, head of the party’s overseas unit, has stirred controversy by claiming that the threat from China is often exaggerated. His remarks, suggesting that India should stop viewing China as an enemy, drew sharp criticism from the ruling BJP, which accused the Congress of having an “obsessive fascination” for China.

Pitroda’s comments come amid heightened political tensions, following Rahul Gandhi’s statement in Parliament, where he alleged that India had lost part of its territory to China—a claim strongly denied by the Indian government. Pitroda said that India’s approach toward China has been confrontational and that a shift in mindset was necessary.

Pitroda: ‘Threat from China is blown out of proportion’

In his interview, Pitroda stated:

“I don’t understand the threat from China. This issue is often blown out of proportion because the US tends to define an enemy. I believe all nations should collaborate, not confront. Our approach has been confrontational from the beginning, and this attitude creates enemies. We need to stop assuming that China is the enemy from day one.”

His response came in reply to a question on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump would be able to manage threats from China. Notably, India had previously rejected Trump’s offer to mediate in its border disputes with China.

BJP slams Congress for ‘China obsession’

The BJP was quick to criticize Pitroda’s remarks, linking them to a 2008 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Congress party and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“Those who gave away 40,000 square km of Indian land to China still see no threat from the Dragon. No wonder Rahul Gandhi admires China and was rooting for BRI one day before the IMEEC was announced. The Congress party’s fascination with China is linked to its mysterious 2008 Cong-CCP MoU,” BJP national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha stated.

The MoU, flagged by the BJP, was described as a “secret deal” in an RTI response by the Ministry of External Affairs in 2020. It was reportedly signed on August 7, 2008, with the purpose of exchanging “high-level information and cooperation” between the Congress and the CCP.

Congress accused of prioritizing China’s interests

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also targeted Sam Pitroda, calling him a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, and accused the Congress of putting China’s interests above India’s.

“Rahul Gandhi’s right-hand man, Sam Pitroda, says ‘China isn’t our enemy!’ Congress praises China while its 2008 MoU reveals a cozy betrayal of India’s interests. It’s shocking how Congress always prioritizes China and Pakistan over India,” he said.

Bhandari further alleged that Rahul Gandhi is being influenced by external forces, stating:

“Rahul Gandhi’s remote control is in the hands of George Soros and China.”

This reference to billionaire philanthropist George Soros ties into the BJP’s long-standing claim that Soros is using his global influence to interfere in India’s internal affairs.

China, border disputes, and political tensions

China remains a major geopolitical concern for both India and the United States, given its security threats and trade implications. India has been engaged in border disputes with China, which escalated into violent clashes in 2020. This was followed by a military disengagement process and diplomatic negotiations.

The opposition in India has claimed that India lost territory to China during these conflicts—a claim reiterated by Rahul Gandhi in Parliament earlier this month. He alleged that China had taken control of 4,000 sq km of Indian land, a statement that was strongly refuted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Sam Pitroda’s history of controversial remarks

Sam Pitroda has been at the center of controversies before. In 2024, he faced backlash over comments on Indian diversity, which were perceived as racially insensitive. The remarks prompted criticism from Prime Minister Modi, but Pitroda stood by his words, blaming the controversy on “poor word choice“. The Congress distanced itself from his statements.

Following the controversy, Pitroda temporarily stepped down from his Congress overseas chief role but was reinstated after seven weeks.

In another instance, during the 2024 general elections, he sparked outrage with remarks on inheritance tax, leading the BJP to allege that Congress planned to redistribute private wealth if elected to power.

Political fallout and future implications

Pitroda’s latest remarks have once again revived debates over the Congress party’s stance on China and its foreign policy approach. As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approach, these political battles over national security, foreign relations, and economic policies are expected to intensify further.

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