Narendra Modi and Sam Pitroda Exchange Diwali Greetings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged Diwali and Gujarati New Year greetings with Sam Pitroda, the chief of the Indian Overseas Congress, on November 13, 2026. The exchange followed an interview in which Pitroda described Modi as a hardworking orator and a personal friend who has been "warm, kind, loving and caring" on a personal level.

Modi responded via a post on X, wishing Pitroda and his wife, Anjana Ben, a joyful and healthy year. Despite this personal warmth, Pitroda maintained that he disagrees with Modi on several ideological issues and echoed Congress party criticisms regarding democracy, jobs, and the economy.

The interaction occurred during a period of heightened political tension, as the Congress-led Opposition demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. While Congress leader Zaheer Lalani noted that personal relations are separate from ideological differences, RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav dismissed Pitroda's comments as insignificant in terms of national or political interest.