Saturday, March 29, 2025
New Delhi, September 19, 2025 – Senior Congress leader and Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, has triggered a fresh controversy with his latest remarks praising neighboring countries, including Pakistan.
In an interview with news agency IANS, Pitroda said that whenever he visits countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, he feels at home rather than abroad.
Watch: Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda says, “Our foreign policy, according to me, 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… pic.twitter.com/DINq138mvW
— IANS (@ians_india) September 19, 2025
“I have been to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and everywhere I go, I feel at home. Our foreign policy, in my view, should first focus on strengthening ties with our immediate neighbors. Can we really improve relations with them? I must tell you, when I went to Pakistan, I felt like I was at home. I felt the same in Bangladesh and Nepal. It never felt like I was in a foreign country,” Pitroda said.
The statement has already created ripples within the Congress Party and may prove politically damaging. The BJP, which has repeatedly accused Congress of making “anti-national” comments, is expected to use Pitroda’s words to intensify its attack on the opposition.
Political observers believe the timing of the remark could create further trouble for the Congress leadership, as the party continues to counter criticism over its stance on national security and foreign relations.
