NEW DELHI, November 12, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended Diwali and Gujarati New Year greetings to Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda and his wife, Anjana, after the senior Congress leader spoke about their cordial personal relationship despite their political differences.
The exchange followed an interview with news agency IANS in which Pitroda described Modi as a Gujarati friend, praised his personal conduct and said he had no personal issues with the Prime Minister.
However, Pitroda made it clear that his respect for Modi as an individual did not change his disagreements with the BJP leader's political ideology.
The exchange attracted attention because Pitroda has frequently criticised Modi and the BJP-led government on political and policy matters.
PM Modi Wishes Sam Pitroda and His Wife on Diwali
Responding to Pitroda's remarks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a festive message on X, addressing the Congress leader as Sam Bhai and extending greetings to his wife, Anjana Ben.
Modi wished the couple good health and happiness in the coming year.
The Prime Minister also concluded his message with the traditional greeting Jai Jagannath.
The post was a public response to Pitroda's comments about their previous personal interactions.
It was not accompanied by any announcement of a political meeting, agreement or change in their respective party positions.
Why Did Sam Pitroda Call Narendra Modi His Gujarati Friend?
Pitroda made the remarks while responding to a question about Modi during an interview with IANS.
He said he respected the Prime Minister personally and described him as a hardworking political leader and an effective public speaker.
Pitroda also recalled meeting Modi on several occasions alongside his wife.
According to the Congress leader, those interactions had been warm and friendly.
He said he had visited Modi's residence in Gujarat several times and had no personal grievance against him.
Pitroda's comments reflected his view that personal relationships do not necessarily have to be shaped by political affiliations.
Sam Pitroda Says Political Differences Are Separate From Personal Ties
The Indian Overseas Congress chairman was careful to distinguish between his opinion of Modi as a person and his disagreement with the Prime Minister's political views.
During the interview, Pitroda said he could respect someone personally while continuing to oppose their ideas.
He explained that differences over ideology and the direction of public policy should not automatically become personal conflicts.
Pitroda also suggested that political disagreement should not prevent people from meeting socially or maintaining friendly relationships.
The distinction was central to his remarks.
Although he praised Modi's personal conduct, he did not withdraw his criticism of the Prime Minister's political positions or announce support for the BJP.
Who Is Sam Pitroda?
Sam Pitroda is a technology entrepreneur, public policy adviser and senior Congress figure.
He has been associated with India's telecommunications and technology policy for several decades.
During the tenure of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Pitroda became closely associated with efforts to expand telecommunications and technology access in India.
He later served in advisory roles during Congress-led governments.
Pitroda currently heads the Indian Overseas Congress, the party's organisation focused on engagement with Indians living abroad.
He has also remained involved in political discussions concerning democracy, governance, development and technology.
His public criticism of the BJP has made him a familiar figure in political debates.
That background explains why his favourable description of Modi's personal character attracted attention.
Modi Also Responds to Social Media User Seeking Diwali Wishes
The exchange produced another interaction on X.
After Modi sent greetings to Pitroda, a social media user named Mihir Jha asked the Prime Minister to wish him a happy Diwali as well.
The user jokingly referred to Modi's message to the Congress leader.
Modi responded with a Diwali greeting addressed to Mihir Bhai and wished him a pleasant festive season and a good year ahead.
The user subsequently thanked the Prime Minister.
The interaction was reported by PTI and several national news organisations.
Does the Exchange Signal a Change in Congress-BJP Relations?
There is no evidence that the exchange represents a change in political alignment between Pitroda and Modi.
Pitroda's statement explicitly maintained the distinction between personal goodwill and ideological opposition.
Similarly, Modi's public greeting was a festive message rather than a political announcement.
The BJP and Congress continue to hold different positions on numerous policy and governance issues.
A friendly exchange between political figures does not establish agreement between their parties.
Nevertheless, the interaction illustrates that political rivals can acknowledge personal relationships without abandoning their respective positions.
It also highlights a distinction that is sometimes overlooked in political debates, where criticism of ideas can be interpreted as personal hostility.
What Happens Next?
Neither Modi nor Pitroda has announced any formal meeting or political initiative arising from the exchange.
Pitroda remains associated with the Congress, while Modi continues to lead the BJP-led Union government.
Their comments on November 12 were limited to their personal relationship and the Prime Minister's festive wishes.
The episode has drawn public attention because of the contrast between their longstanding political disagreements and the warmth of the exchange.
For now, the message is straightforward: Sam Pitroda says he can disagree with Narendra Modi politically while respecting him personally, and the Prime Minister has publicly reciprocated that goodwill through his Diwali greetings.
Editorial note: This report is based on Sam Pitroda's interview with IANS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public message on X and corroborating reports from PTI and The Indian Express. All India Story did not independently interview either leader.
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