Sam Pitroda, the Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress has yet again stirred controversy over his claims on India’s relationship with its neighbourhood. He has exclaimed that he always “felt at home” during his visits to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Apparently, all the three nations pose national security challenges to India, in the wake of recent geopolitical developments. While, we witnessed an inhuman Pahalgam terror attack emanating from Pakistan, Dhaka and Kathmandu are embroiling in destabilized regimes.
“I have been to Pakistan, and I must tell you, I felt at home. I have been to Bangladesh, Nepal, and I feel at home. I don’t feel like I am in a foreign country. They look like me, they talk like me, they like my songs, they eat my food. We must learn to live with them in peace and harmony,” he asserted.
Watch: Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda says, "Our foreign policy, according to me, must first focus on our neighbourhood. Can we really substantially improve relationships with our neighbours?… I've been to Pakistan, and I must tell you, I felt at home. I've been to… pic.twitter.com/DINq138mvW
— IANS (@ians_india) September 19, 2025
In an exclusive interview to the IANS, he has also urged New Delhi to engage with Bangladesh and Pakistan despite issues of violence and terrorism as we share a “common gene pool”. “Our foreign policy must first focus on our neighbourhood. Can we really substantially improve relationships with our neighbours? They are all going through difficult times and there is no need to fight. There are issues of violence and terrorism, but in the neighbourhood there is a common gene pool”, Pitroda said. Apparently, it seems Mr. Sam Pitroda doesn’t know that “common gene pool” cannot be a solution to the national security threat, state-sponsored terrorism and it will not uphold India’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.
The statements by Sam Pitroda is also a shame and embarrassment for the Congress Party, as it allegedly keeps pointing out at the government over neighbourhood issues and India’s handling of the Operation Sindoor. Their own party member has now ignited a controversy by asking to engage with the terror state, just because of a gene pool! Meanwhile, BJP has strongly criticized the statement of Sam Pitroda and has reflected upon Congress government’s actions during the 26/11 terror attack.
BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, “Rahul Gandhi’s blue-eyed boy and Congress Overseas Chief Sam Pitroda ssyas he felt at home in Pakistan. No wonder UPA took no tough action against Pak even after the 26/11. Pakistan’s favourite, Congress’s chosen”.
VIDEO | Delhi: BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari (@pradip103) addresses a press conference. He says, "We all know that 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 you… pic.twitter.com/q6ji8OnUYv
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 19, 2025
“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 you people can any patriot ever say that terror nation Pakistan is like a home. But Rahul Gandhi’s close aide says that terror nation Pakistan is like home for him”, Pradeep Bhandari further added.
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