New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI) The Congress on Monday distanced itself from its leader Sam Pitroda's remarks on China, saying they are not the views of the party and that China remains India's foremost external security and economic challenge.

Pitroda, chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, was reported to have said that he does not understand the threat India faces from China, claiming that it is often blown out of proportion.

"The views reportedly expressed by Mr. Sam Pitroda on China are most definitely NOT the views of the Indian National Congress," AICC general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.

"China remains our foremost foreign policy, external security, as well as economic challenge. The INC has repeatedly raised questions on the Modi Govt'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," he said.

"It is also extremely regrettable that Parliament is being denied an opportunity to discuss the situation and express a collective resolve to meet these challenges effectively," Ramesh said.

The BJP has attacked the Congress over Pitroda's remarks, saying that what Pitroda has said symbolises the mindset of the Congress and said Pitroda's remarks are in line with its leaders' statements in support of China.

In his statement on January 28, Ramesh had said the Congress notes the announcement by the Modi government of normalisation of ties with China at a time when there are still many unanswered questions about the disengagement agreement of October 21, 2024.

The statement had come after New Delhi and Beijing agreed to restore commercial and cultural ties including direct flights between the two capitals, resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, liberalised visa regime and other measures following the recent Beijing visit of the foreign secretary.

"The Modi government has not yet satisfactorily explained to the country why this is the right time to normalise relations with China.

"Ever since the Chinese occupied 2,000 sq km of territory in eastern Ladakh that had been accessed by Indian patrols until May 2020, the people and the Armed Forces of the country have held that the Government of India must insist on a restoration of the status quo ante as it stood prior to that," Ramesh had said in his statement, while posing a set of questions to the government. PTI SKC SKC KVK KVK

Parliamentary oversight demanded over foreign policy normalisation amid unresolved disengagement and territorial integrity concerns. The document emphasises executive responsibility to explain normalisation of ties with China given unresolved questions about the disengagement agreement and territorial access changes in eastern Ladakh, while underscoring parliamentary scrutiny and public explanation as necessary safeguards for national security, territorial integrity, and accountability in foreign policy decisions.