India's foremost challenge is China: Congress while distancing itself from Sam Pitroda's comment

New Delhi: All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Monday clarified that it considers China a foremost challenge for the country, distancing itself from the Overseas Congress head Sam Pitroda's comment that "to assume that China is the enemy from day one is just not fair".

"The views reportedly expressed by Mr Sam Pitroda on China are most definitely not the views of the Indian National Congress. China remains our foremost foreign policy, external security, as well as economic challenge," said Jairam Ramesh, AICC communications in-charge. "INC has repeatedly raised questions on the Modi government'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."

Pitroda, a key associate of party leader Rahul Gandhi who often arranges the latter's overseas engagements, has a track record of making a series of controversial comments in the past, even at the height of election campaigns, making BJP feast on them and the Congress run for cover.