The Congress party has sought to disassociate itself from a controversial statement made by senior leader Sam Pitroda, who recently remarked that “China is not our enemy.” The comment sparked a political uproar, prompting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to launch a scathing attack on the opposition party.

Congress General Secretary and communications head Jairam Ramesh clarified the party's stance in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He emphasized that Pitroda's views were personal and did not reflect the official position of the Indian National Congress. “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,” Ramesh stated.

Pitroda, known for his outspoken nature and statements that often land the Congress in difficult situations, had recently suggested in an interview with news agency IANS that India should rethink its approach towards China. He questioned the common perception of China as an adversary and said there was a need to change the mindset that labels China as an enemy. “We need to change that pattern of assuming China is the enemy from day one. This applies not just to China but to everyone. I don't see what the threat is from China. Sometimes this issue is exaggerated because the US has a tendency to identify an enemy,” Pitroda said.

His remarks came against the backdrop of an earlier controversy involving his comments on India's diversity, which had led to his temporary removal as Chairman of the Overseas Indian Congress last year. That incident had triggered accusations of racism and a colonial mindset. Although Pitroda was reinstated a month later, after offering clarifications and alleging that the BJP had twisted his words, the episode had strained his relationship with the party’s leadership.

The latest statement is seen as conflicting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's assertions in Parliament, where he accused the government of allowing China to occupy Indian territory—an allegation the government has repeatedly denied.

The BJP swiftly seized upon Pitroda’s comments, describing them as a direct assault on India’s sovereignty and national identity. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari highlighted Pitroda's close association with Rahul Gandhi and accused the Congress of aligning itself with Chinese interests. “Rahul Gandhi’s trusted confidant, Sam Pitroda, says ‘China is not our enemy’. This is the same party that signed an MoU with China in 2008. Congress consistently prioritizes the interests of China and Pakistan over India,” Bhandari alleged.

The controversy has further fueled the ongoing political rivalry between the two major parties, with the BJP using Pitroda’s comments to question Congress’s nationalistic credentials. As the war of words intensifies, the Congress party faces the challenge of managing internal dissent while maintaining its opposition stance on the government’s handling of the China border issue.