Sam Pitroda Sparks Debate on India-Pakistan Ties and Neighborhood Diplomacy
Rahul Gandhi’s trusted aide and Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda stirred up a fresh controversy on Friday. He highlighted the "striking similarity" between people in India and its neighbors like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Pitroda also pushed for stronger neighborhood diplomacy, especially with struggling countries such as Nepal.
As a longtime loyalist to the Gandhi family, Pitroda urged the Indian government to make neighborhood relations a top priority in its foreign policy. In an exclusive chat with , he said, "Our foreign policy must first focus on our neighborhood. Can we really improve relationships with our neighbors? They’re all small nations facing tough times."
He acknowledged challenges like violence and terrorism but emphasized shared roots. "At the end of the day, there’s a common gene pool in the neighborhood," Pitroda added. "I’ve visited Pakistan, and I felt right at home. The same goes for Bangladesh and Nepal—I don’t feel like I’m in a foreign land. They look like us, talk like us, enjoy our songs, and eat our food. We must learn to live with them in peace and harmony."
Pitroda, who gained fame in the 1980s as a tech expert advising then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, has a history of bold statements. His latest remarks clash with an earlier controversy where he faced backlash for racist comments on India’s diversity, even drawing odd parallels between South Indians and South Africans.
These comments come amid ongoing turmoil in the region. Bangladesh grapples with political and economic instability, while Nepal deals with internal challenges. Pitroda’s push for neighborhood diplomacy highlights the need for better India-Pakistan relations and ties with other South Asian nations.
This isn’t his first time shaking things up on foreign policy. Back in February, during tense India-China relations, Pitroda downplayed the China threat. In another interview, he said, "I don’t understand the hype around China. The US often paints enemies, but we need collaboration, not confrontation. India has approached China as an adversary from the start—we should change that mindset."
Pitroda’s views on neighborhood first and shared cultural bonds continue to fuel discussions on India’s foreign policy strategy.
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