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Congress distances itself from Sam Pitroda’s remarks on China

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, on Monday, on his X account said that “The views reportedly expressed by Mr. Sam Pitroda on China are most definitely NOT the views of the Indian National Congress.”

In an exclusive interview to news agency IANS, Pitroda, the Indian Overseas Congress chief, said that the threat from China is often exaggerated. India, he said, should recognise and respect China instead of assuming it as an enemy.

He said that India’s approach has been confrontational from the beginning. “Our attitude is that of confrontation from day one, and that attitude creates enemies, and that creates certain support in the country. 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. Ramesh further said “China remains our foremost foreign policy, external security, as well as economic challenge. The INC has repeatedly raised questions on the Modi government’s approach to China, including the PM Modi’s public clean chit to it on June 19, 2020. Our most recent statement on China was on January 28, 2025.”

The Congress leader said “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.”

A statement issued by the Congress on January 28, 2025, said, “The Congress party notes the announcement by the Modi government of normalisation of ties with China at a time when there are still many unanswered questiuons about the disengagement agreement on October 21, 2024. New Delhi and Beijing have agreed to restore commercial and cultural ties including direct flights between the two capitals, resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, liberalised visa regime and other measures following the recent Beijing visit of the Foreign Secretary.”

It further stated that “Yet successive statements by the Ministry of External Affairs casts doubt on whether we have returned to the status quo.”