Mon Feb 17 10:24:22 UTC 2025: ## Congress Leader Pitroda Sparks Outrage Over China Remarks, BJP Alleges Secret Deal

**New Delhi:** Sam Pitroda, head of the Congress party’s overseas unit, has ignited a major political firestorm after claiming that the threat from China is exaggerated and that India should not consider it an enemy. His comments, made in an interview with IANS, drew immediate and sharp criticism from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Congress of harboring pro-China sentiments.

Pitroda argued that India’s confrontational approach towards China is counterproductive and needs to change. He suggested that the perception of a significant threat is fueled by external influences, referencing the United States’ tendency to define enemies. The Congress, however, swiftly distanced itself from Pitroda’s remarks, stating they do not reflect the party’s official stance.

The BJP launched a scathing attack, with spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi calling Pitroda’s statements a “deep blow” to India’s national identity and sovereignty. The party highlighted similar past remarks by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently claimed in parliament that India had lost territory to China – a claim the government has vehemently denied.

The BJP further linked Pitroda’s comments to a 2008 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Congress and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which the BJP alleges was a secret deal revealed through an RTI response from the Ministry of External Affairs. The party claimed this MoU demonstrates the Congress’s pro-China bias and prioritization of Chinese interests over India’s.

Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh countered that China remains a significant foreign policy challenge for India, reiterating the party’s concerns about the Modi government’s handling of the situation. He expressed regret that Parliament was not given the opportunity to discuss the issue.

Pitroda’s latest controversial statement adds to his history of sparking public outrage. Previous remarks on Indian diversity and inheritance tax have also drawn strong criticism and led to the Congress distancing itself from his views. While he briefly resigned from his post following earlier controversies, he was later reinstated. The ongoing controversy underscores the deep political divisions surrounding India’s relationship with China.

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