Congress' Sam Pitroda Stirs Row Again, Says China 'Not Threat To India'; Blames US Policies

Indian Overseas Congress president Sam Pitroda has stated that the India-China border dispute has been "blown out of proportion" due to the United States' tendency to "define an enemy".

His remarks came in response to US President Donald Trump's offer to mediate the issue during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Washington.

"I don't understand the threat from China. I think this issue is often blown out of proportion because the US has the habit of defining an enemy. I believe the time has come for all nations to collaborate, not confront," Pitroda, a senior Congress leader, said in an interview with a news agency.

Trump's mediation offer was promptly rejected, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stating that India would continue to handle its dealings with China through a bilateral approach.

Pitroda also criticised India's stance on the border issue, describing it as "confrontational from the beginning" and adding that such an "attitude creates enemies".

"We need to change this pattern. To assume that China is the enemy is not fair. Not just to China, but to everyone. It is time for us to learn to increase communication. Collaborate, cooperate and co-create and not just command and control," he continued.

During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Modi on February 13 at the White House, President Trump was asked about how the India-US relationship might counter China.

In response, he said, "I think we are going to have a very good relationship with China. China is a very important player in the world. I think they can help us get this war over with Ukraine and Russia."

"And I look at India, I do see the skirmishes on the border, which are quite vicious, and I guess they will continue to go on. If I could be of help, I'd love to help, because that should be stopped. That's been going on for a long time, and it's quite violent. But I hope that China and India and Russia and the US and all of us can get along. It's very important," Trump added.

In response to Trump's comments, Foreign Secretary Misri reiterated that India has always followed a bilateral approach to resolve disputes, including with China.

"Whatever issues we have with any of our neighbours, we have always adopted a bilateral approach to dealing with these issues. It's no different between India and China. We have been discussing any issues that we have with them on a bilateral plan, and we will continue to do so," Misri said.

Relations between India and China have been strained since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes.

However, after extensive dialogue last year, the two countries agreed to a breakthrough disengagement process along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh.