Sam Pitroda, chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, is a name synonymous with controversies. He has now said that he “felt at home” during his visit to Pakistan and argued that India’s foreign policy should adopt a neighbour-first approach. His latest remarks follow his February statement in which he claimed that India overstates the threat from China, arguing that New Delhi should stop assuming that “Beijing is an enemy”.

Felt at home in Pakistan: Sam Pitroda

“Our foreign policy, according to me, must first focus on our neighbourhood. Can we really substantially improve our relationship with our neighbour? They are all small, they all need help, they are all going through difficult times, and there’s no need to fight,” he said, before acknowledging violence and terrorism in these countries. 

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He added, “But at the end of the day, in that neighbourhood, there is a common gene pool. I’ve been to Pakistan, and I must tell you, I felt at home.”

Pitroda then added Bangladesh and Nepal to the list, adding that he “felt at home” there as well. 

“I don’t feel like I’m in a foreign country. They look like me, they talk like me, they like my songs, they eat my food. So, I must learn to live with them in peace and harmony,” he went on to add and tagged this his “first priority”.

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‘Pakistan’s favourite, Congress’s chosen’

Before the Congress could react to his remarks, the BJP launched a sharp attack on Sam Pitroda. Party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said, “Rahul Gandhi’s blue-eyed boy & Congress Overseas chief Sam Pitroda says he ‘felt at home’ in Pakistan.”

He further added, “No wonder UPA took no tough action against Pak even after 26/11. Pakistan’s favourite, Congress’s chosen!”