New Delhi: The Congress party has officially distanced itself from Sam Pitroda’s remarks on China, which suggested that India should not assume China as its enemy. The statement sparked political controversy, with the BJP and defence experts strongly opposing his views.

Congress clarifies its stance

Congress communication head Jairam Ramesh issued a statement on social media, clarifying that Pitroda’s views do not reflect the party’s stance. He wrote, “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.”

BJP and defence experts react

Former Indian Naval Officer and defence expert GJ Singh strongly criticised Pitroda’s remarks, questioning his understanding of India’s history with China. “Does he know what happened in 1962? China betrayed Nehru and took thousands of square kilometers from us. Then we lost soldiers in Nathu La, faced issues in Doklam, and later Galwan. China has repeatedly tried to take our territory,” Singh said.

Defence expert & Former Indian Naval Officer GJ Singh, says, "..Does he know what happened in 1962? Who betrayed Pandit Nehru? We were on the path of peace. We wanted peace in this region. But we saw that China stabbed us in the back. And that is why the 1962 war happened. After that, we saw what happened in Nathu La Pass, where we lost 88 of our soldiers. Then China created problems in Doklam. After that, it started in Galwan. Everywhere, China follows this policy of trying to take our territory in some way... In 1962, it took thousands of square kilometers from us. Now, what does Sam Pitroda, who is just an entrepreneur, know about this?..."

BJP leaders also condemned Pitroda’s statement, accusing the Congress of being “soft” on China and compromising national security.

Pitroda’s controversial remarks

In an interview, Sam Pitroda argued that India should not assume an adversarial stance against China, stating, “I don’t understand the threat from China. The US has a habit of defining an enemy, and we should not fall into that pattern. Instead, nations should collaborate rather than confront.”

This is not the first time Pitroda has stirred controversy with his comments. Last year, his remarks on diversity had also landed him in trouble, briefly costing him his position as the Chairman of the Overseas Indian Congress.

The controversy comes at a crucial time as India gears up for the upcoming general elections, with national security being a key issue in political debates. While the Congress has attempted damage control, Pitroda’s statement has provided ammunition to its political opponents, with the BJP accusing the party of lacking a clear stance on China.