GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th Feb. Congress veteran Sam Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, has sparked controversy with his remarks suggesting that the threat from China is often exaggerated. Speaking in an exclusive interview with IANS, Pitroda emphasized that India must shift its mindset and stop treating China as an inherent enemy.
He criticized India’s long-standing confrontational approach to China, stating, “Our attitude is that of confrontation from day one, and that attitude creates enemies, which garners certain support within the country. I think we need to change that pattern to assume that China is the enemy from day one.”
Pitroda further questioned the narrative of the China threat, asserting, “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.”
In his interview, Pitroda advocated for global collaboration and respect, asserting that nations should come together rather than adopt a confrontational stance. “The time has come for all of us to learn, increase communication, collaborate, operate and co-create and not have this command and control mindset. China is around… China is growing… you know you got to recognize that and respect that,” he said, calling for a pragmatic approach to the evolving global dynamics.
Pitroda’s remarks come in the wake of recent discussions surrounding the India-China border situation. On February 13, 2025, during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump expressed willingness to mediate the ongoing border tensions between India and China. However, India swiftly rejected the offer, reiterating its preference for a bilateral approach to resolving disputes.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reaffirmed India’s stance, stating, “Whatever issues we have with any of our neighbours, we have always adopted a bilateral approach to dealing with these issues. It’s no different between India and China. We have been discussing any issues that we have with them on a bilateral plane, and we will continue to do so.”
Pitroda’s comments have reignited debates over India’s foreign policy, particularly its approach to China, and have drawn sharp reactions from political opponents.
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