Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda clarified on Friday that his recent comments about feeling “at home” in Pakistan were meant to emphasize the shared history and people-to-people connections between India and its neighboring countries. He stated that his remarks were not intended to diminish concerns about terrorism or geopolitical issues.
In a post on X, Pitroda expressed, “If my words have caused confusion or hurt, I want to clarify that my aim was never to belittle anyone’s suffering or undermine legitimate concerns – but to foster honest conversation, empathy, and a more grounded and responsible approach to how India sees itself – and is seen – by others.”
Pitroda had earlier stirred controversy by advocating for a neighborhood-first policy. In an interview with IANS, he said, “I’ve been to Pakistan, and I must tell you, I felt at home. I’ve been to Bangladesh, I’ve been to Nepal, and I feel at home. 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. That’s my first priority.”
His comments drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders, with national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari labeling Pitroda as “Pakistan’s favorite” and questioning his ties to a “terror nation”, particularly in the context of recent attacks attributed to Pakistan, such as the Pahalgam terror incident. Bhandari remarked, “We all know that the Pahalgam terror attack was carried out by Pakistan. Our armed forces gave terror nation Pakistan a befitting reply through Operation Sindoor. I want to ask, can any patriot ever say that terror nation Pakistan is like a home?”
Pitroda, a longtime advisor to the Gandhi family and head of the Overseas Indian Congress, has a history of controversial remarks. Earlier this year, he faced backlash for comments regarding China, leading the Congress party to publicly distance itself from his statements. In June 2024, during the Lok Sabha campaign, he temporarily resigned following criticism for remarks about inheritance tax and comparisons of physical features of Indians to those of other nationalities. He was subsequently reinstated after promising to avoid future controversies.
