New Delhi, Oct 2 (NationPress) Renowned Congress figure P. Chidambaram’s assertion during a podcast with ABP News—that Sam Pitroda does not influence Rahul Gandhi on foreign policy—is contradicted by video evidence of Pitroda joining the Congress leader on his arrival in Bogota, Colombia.

Currently, Rahul Gandhi is on a tour across South America, engaging with political leaders, university students, and business communities in four different nations.

Experts believe that Pitroda’s presence is more than a symbolic gesture; it indicates his significant role as a mentor and advisor to Rahul Gandhi during this international visit. Many find Chidambaram’s depiction of Pitroda as an isolated, independent thinker difficult to accept.

At the age of 90, Pitroda remains actively involved in Congress activities, having been reinstated as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) in June 2024. He has facilitated numerous major international trips for Rahul Gandhi, including visits to the US and Europe, aimed at mobilizing the Indian diaspora. Pitroda’s influence traces back to the 1980s when he served as a key advisor to then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and was instrumental in India’s telecom revolution.

During the podcast, Chidambaram attempted to distance the Congress party from Pitroda’s outspoken opinions. His assertion that, to his knowledge, Pitroda does not provide counsel to Rahul Gandhi on foreign policy came amidst renewed scrutiny over Pitroda’s comments promoting closer relations with India’s neighbors, such as Pakistan and China.

Pitroda faced backlash for his statements urging the government to prioritize dialogue with neighboring countries, asserting that India’s foreign policy should commence with strengthening regional ties, including with Pakistan.

In an interview with IANS, Pitroda articulated, "Our foreign policy, in my opinion, must first concentrate on our neighborhood. Can we genuinely enhance our relationships with neighboring nations?... I've visited Pakistan, and I must say, 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..."

This viewpoint, according to BJP leaders and political analysts, reflects not only Pitroda’s personal beliefs but also the broader ideological position of the Congress party. They argue that Pitroda shapes Rahul Gandhi’s perspective, steering him towards a more conciliatory approach regarding Pakistan and China.

The BJP contends that Rahul Gandhi’s own controversial remarks made abroad—often critical of the Indian government and its security policies—are a result of this mentorship and ultimately weaken India’s global standing.

Political analysts note that Pitroda’s influence is anything but marginal. “He’s not just an ordinary relative; he’s the Gandhis’ mentor on international outreach,” stated an anonymous analyst.

His leadership role within the IOC involves rallying overseas Indians for Congress initiatives, merging personal philosophies with institutional power.

Despite controversies—such as his 2024 comments on inheritance tax and his notorious “hua to hua” statement regarding the 1984 riots—Pitroda continues to be a vital figure within the party.

In this context, the footage of Rahul Gandhi and Sam Pitroda together in Colombia raises questions about Congress’s claims that Pitroda does not influence Rahul on foreign policy. Instead, it suggests that Pitroda remains a crucial mentor guiding Rahul Gandhi on the global stage.

Last year, when Congress reinstated Pitroda as head of its overseas branch after a brief removal, the BJP criticized the decision, labeling it an endorsement of Pitroda’s “objectionable and distasteful” remarks regarding Indians, the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and the Pulwama terror attack.

The BJP has consistently accused Congress of “distancing” itself from Pitroda’s controversial comments only to “deceive and confuse” the public. Chidambaram’s denial of Pitroda’s guiding role during the ABP podcast is now being interpreted through this lens, eliciting skepticism.