'Felt At Home In Pakistan': Congress' Sam Pitroda Calls For Talks With India's Neighbours; BJP Retorts With 'Anti-National' Jab

Sam Pitroda Pakistan Row: Congress leader Sam Pitroda, while speaking on India's foreign policy on Friday, said he had travelled to neighbouring countries, including Pakistan and felt at home. Speaking with the news agency, IANS, the Indian Overseas Congress chief called for talks with the neighbours.

He 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."

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

"I am not an expert on foreign policy. But like at home, I want to be friends with my neighbours. I have four neighbours—front, back, left, and right. I don't want to fight with them. They may not share the same objectives in life, but that's okay. I have to be accommodating. I have to be flexible. I have to listen to them," he added.

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#WATCH | Delhi | On Congress Overseas Chief Sam Pitroda's statement, BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari says, "... We want to ask Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, why did you remain silent when Shahid Afridi called you his idol? Lashkar-e-Taiba wanted to have talks with… pic.twitter.com/TLpGoT3Vvd

— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2025

BJP Targets Gandhi Family Over His Pakistan Remark

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari targeted the Gandhi family over his 'Pakistan' remark. Bhandari said, "Can a patriot ever say that a terror state Pakistan, is like a home to them? But, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, who decides Gandhi family's strategy, who has a 30-year-long relationship with the Gandhi family, says that he feels at home in Pakistan."

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"Congress leadership is making Sam Pitroda say this. This is an insult to our soldiers and 140 crore Indians. If this statement is not anti-national, then what is it? ISI Agent Shaid Afridi called Rahul Gandhi his idol a few days ago, and now Rahul's close aide says Pakistan is like a home to him. Some time ago, Rahul Gandhi said that he wants to fight the Indian state. They call Pakistan their home and insult the sovereignty of India," he added.