New Delhi: Congress leader and the party’s overseas chief Sam Pitroda has waded into controversy yet again by urging the government to prioritise ties with neighbours, including Pakistan.
“Our foreign policy must first focus on our neighbourhood. Can we really substantially improve relationships with our neighbours? I’ve been to Pakistan, and I must tell you, I felt at home. I’ve been to Bangladesh, I’ve been to Nepal, and I feel at home. I don’t feel like I’m in a foreign country,” Pitroda said in an interview with IANS.
While terrorism and violence remain serious concerns, countries in the region share cultural and historical ties, he said.
“There is a problem of violence; of course, there is a problem of terrorism…but at the end of the day, in that neighbourhood, there is a common gene pool. I’ve been to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. I don’t feel like I’m in a foreign country,” he said.
Pitroda’s statements come months after he batted for better ties with China.
“I don’t understand the threat from China. I think this issue is often blown out of proportion because the US has a tendency to define an enemy. I believe the time has come for all nations to collaborate, not confront. Our approach has been confrontational from the very beginning, and this attitude creates enemies, which in turn garners support within the country. We need to change this mindset and stop assuming that China is the enemy from day one,” Pitroda had said in February.
The Congress leader’s latest remarks has provided fresh ammunition to the BJP. It has claimed that the Congress has ‘undying love’ for Pakistan.
“Rahul Gandhi’s closest ally and leader, family friend Uncle Sam Pitroda (who said Hua to Hua for 1984 Anti Sikh Genocide), who made racially disgusting comments on Indians, says he feels at home in Pakistan. Why is it surprising? Congress has undying love for Pakistan. They even spoke to Hafiz Saeed via Yasin Malik,” BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla posted on X.
The Congress has repeatedly sided with Pakistan’s position on critical issues, he said.
“They give clean chit to Pak on 26/11, Samjhauta, Pulwama and Pahalgam. They articulate Pak position on 370 and Surgical Strike and undermine our forces. They give 80 percent water to Pak under IWT. They love Pakistan. INC is Islamabad National Congress. Sam Pitroda who divides Indians and stays in the US away from India finds a home in Pakistan. Is anyone surprised?” he wrote.
Another BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took up the issue and said: “No wonder UPA took no tough action against Pak even after 26/11. Pakistan’s favourite, Congress’s chosen.”
Pitroda, a technocrat, was extremely close to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He contributed towards the telecom revolution in the country but seems to have developed this penchant of shooting himself in the foot lately.