- Sam Pitroda clarified his "at home in neighbouring countries" remark aimed to highlight shared history, bonds
- He denied intending to belittle suffering or ignore terror and geopolitical challenges in the subcontinent
- Pitroda said India's foreign policy must focus on improving relationship with neighbours first
Congress's Sam Pitroda, mired deep in another controversy after his "at home in neighbouring countries" remark, has issued a clarification saying it was only meant to "emphasize the shared history and people-to-people bond in the Indian subcontinent". His aim was "not to ignore pain, conflict, or the grave challenges we face from terror and geopolitical tensions," he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
"My intention has always been to call attention to the realities we face: concerns about the electoral process, the importance of civil society and youth, and India's role - both in its neighborhood and globally," he said in the statement.
"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," his statement read.
In an interview with news agency IANS, Mr Pitroda had underscored the need to keep the focus of foreign policy on the neighbourhood first. Lately, there has been turbulence in both Nepal and Bangladesh and India's relation with the latter has become strained.
Without going into details, Mr Pitroda had said, "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 Bangladesh, I've been to Nepal, and I feel at home. I don't feel like I'm in a foreign country."
Read: "Been To Pakistan, Felt At Home": Rahul Gandhi's Aide Sam Pitroda Bats For Talks
His inclusion of Pakistan in the list, however, came as a gift to the BJP, which accused the Congress leadership of undermining India's national interest.
"Rahul Gandhi's blue-eyed boy & Congress Overseas chief Sam Pitroda says he "felt at home' in Pakistan. No wonder UPA took no tough action against Pak even after 26/11. Pakistan's favourite, Congress's chosen!" said BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari.
— Sam Pitroda (@sampitroda) September 19, 2025
Mr Pitroda, who heads the Indian Overseas Congress, has a penchant for remarks that lands his party in trouble and lets the BJP have a field day.
Last year, he stepped down from the post for seven weeks after his two consecutive statements sparked huge controversies.
Read: "Could've Chosen Better Words": Sam Pitroda After Congress Reappointment
One of them was about diversity - the BJP insisted that the subtext was racism. The other was about inheritance tax as an example of "new policies" that can "help prevent concentration of wealth".
His remarks were interpreted as advocacy of inheritance tax in India.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had remarked that if elected, the Congress would redistribute the personal wealth of people among "infiltrators" and won't even spare the "mangalsutras of women".
After the dust had settled and he was reinstated in the overseas wing post, Mr Pitroda had told NDTV that his comments are invariably twisted. "People are not interested in the substance of a conversation, they are interested in the form of the conversation," he had said.
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