"Not the views of INC" Congress distances itself from Sam Pitroda's statements on China

New Delhi [India], February 17 (ANI): Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Monday clarified that senior leader Sam Pitroda's statement on China is "not the view" of the Indian National Congress.
Taking to X, Jaitam Ramesh wrote, "The views reportedly expressed by Mr. Sam Pitroda on China are most definitely NOT the views of the Indian National Congress.
The clarification from the party's communication in charge came amid the heavy backlash of Bharatiya Janata Party.
Ramesh said that Congress has repeatedly raised questions about PM Modi's approach to China, "including the PM's public clean chit to it on June 19, 2020."
"China remains our foremost foreign policy, external security, as well as economic challenge. The INC has repeatedly raised questions on the Modi Govt's approach to China, including the PM's public clean chit to it on June 19, 2020. Our most recent statement on China was on 28th January 2025. It is also extremely regrettable that Parliament is being denied an opportunity to discuss the situation and express a collective resolve to meet these challenges effectively," Ramesh wrote on X.
Earlier, BJP's national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi lashed out at Congress over Sam Pitroda's statement on China saying that his statements are an "insult" to the soldirs who lost their lives in Galwan.
"Sam Pitroda has openly revealed the Congress party's agreement with China. The serious thing is that the kind of thing Sam Pitroda has said is a very deep blow to India's identity, diplomacy and sovereignty. Rahul Gandhi has also given many similar statements abroad... Some time ago, on his foreign tour, he had said that China has solved the problem of unemployment very well," Trivedi said in a press conference.
"This is an insult to our Galwan Martyrs. Our 20 soldiers were martyred in Galwan and after that, if your overseas President speaks such language, then it is condemnable," Trivedi added.
BJP's CR Kesavan also attacked the Congress accusing them of "glorifying China and insulting India" while raising questions over their 'support' to the neighbouring country.
"Why is the Congress Party repeatedly glorifying China and insulting India? Where does the loyalty of the Congress Party lie? Is it with China or our Bharat? And why does the Congress Party not disclose the MoU signed by Rahul Gandhi himself on behalf of the Congress Party and the Communist Party of China on August 7, 2008? These are the questions which the people of our nation are asking the Congress party," Kesavan said.
"Sam Pitroda is the ideological mentor of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. His shocking statement on China today severely undermining India should be looked at in conjunction with the context of Rahul Gandhi's recent actions and speeches... So these are all facts which are known in the country. But the answer which today all of us seek is, who is the Congress Party more loyal to, China or our Bharat?" Kesavan added. (ANI)