The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday alleged that Sam Pitroda has unknowingly exposed the real face of the Congress by revealing that the Congress is part of an anti-India and global alliance. BJP said that Rahul Gandhi often goes abroad and participates in related alliance programs with the hope that his party will return to power at the Center with its support.

BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, citing comments made by Pitroda in an interview with a news channel, alleged that the Congress State Department Chairman revealed that the party holds an official position in the Global Progressive Alliance (GPA) and Rahul Gandhi is part of its presidential circle.

Congress leader has exposed his true face: BJP

BJP’s Rajya Sabha member said in a press conference at the party headquarters here that Sam Pitroda, Rahul Gandhi’s traditional family advisor and the architect of his thinking and psychology, unknowingly exposed the real face of Congress in an interview yesterday. He said that Congress is a part of the Global Progressive Alliance and Rahul Gandhi had recently gone to Germany to attend its meeting.

GPA is busy creating anti-India narrative: BJP

Trivedi alleged that GPA is connected to a network of organizations which are engaged in creating anti-India discourse. He demanded that Congress should clarify its role in such a group. He mentioned the Congress leader’s recent meeting with Professor Cornelia Voll, President of the Hertie School in Berlin, during his visit to Germany.

The BJP leader said, ‘Rahul Gandhi has started daydreaming about gaining power with the support of anti-India forces, because he sees all such possibilities with the Congress coming to an end.’

He alleged that Voll is one of the trustees of the Central European University. This university is funded by the Open Society Foundation of American billionaire investor George Soros.

Trivedi said, ‘At the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos in January 2020, George Soros took the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he has kept one billion dollars to restore civil society in the world and eliminate nationalist forces.’

Referring to this, Pitroda had also said in his interview that GPA is an alliance of democracies of 110 countries. The BJP leader said that apart from the Western world, only India, New Zealand, Australia and Japan in the East are continuously vibrant democracies.

Sudhanshu Trivedi said- I want a clear answer from Congress

He said, ‘I want a clear answer from Congress. Who are these 110 countries, which are trying to harm India in the guise of democratic nations, whereas it (India) is the cradle of democracy in the world?’

People of India, who used to send crores of rupees every year for studying, traveling and investment abroad, this time their pocket has been tightened. In February 2025, the total amount sent abroad from India declined by 29 per cent to $ 1,964.21 million. The figure was $ 2,768.89 million in January.

According to data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the total amount sent abroad under the Liberalized Remedy Scheme (LRS) fell 29 per cent to $ 1,964.21 million as of January, compared to $ 2,768.89 million in January. This decline has come at a time when instability in global markets and decline in studies and travel opportunities abroad.

Heavy decline in money sent for travel and studies

The most impact has been on the remittance related to travel and study. The amount sent to travel fell by 33.77 per cent to $ 1,090.61 million in February, which was $ 1,646.74 million in January. At the same time, the money sent for foreign studies also remained almost half. It fell to $ 182.17 million in February as against $ 368.21 million in January. That is, there is a clear decline in the interest of Indians for foreign travel and study.

The dream of studying abroad slowed down

There is now a shortage of Indian students going abroad. According to the report by The Indian Express, for the first time in four years, the number of Indian students has declined simultaneously in Canada, America and Britain, all three big countries. According to 2024 data, study permits received by Indian students in these countries have fallen by at least 25 per cent. It has a direct impact on the money sent for studies abroad.

Effect on travel too

Sources associated with the travel industry say that due to global economic uncertainties, a large number of people either postponed or canceled their foreign travel plans. The ups and downs in the markets have made Indians alert about additional expenses, which has had a direct impact on travel remedies.

An increase in investment

However, some good news has also come out on the investment front. The money sent for investment in foreign shares and bonds has increased. While $ 104.98 million was invested in January, it increased to $ 173.84 million in February. This trend suggests that people are now giving priority to options with safe and possible returns rather than experience and fun.

What is LRS Scheme?

Under the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS), Indian citizens can send a maximum of $ 2,50,000 in every financial year. The money sent under this scheme can be used to buy education, treatment, purchase of property or invest in foreign shares. By March 2024, a total of $ 31.735 billion was sent abroad from India, out of which $ 17 billion was spent on travel alone and $ 3.47 billion on studies.

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