New Delhi, October 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda has said any proposed investment by Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist George Soros should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the policy framework and the objectives involved.
In an exclusive interaction with IANS on Thursday, Pitroda said the decision would rest with the government in power, which would have to evaluate the proposal on its merits.
“If George Soros is going to bring in a 10-billion-dollar investment to do something good, maybe it’s one thing to look at. Possible. It all depends on case by case. Policy by policy. That’s the privilege of people in power,” he said.
Pitroda clarified that he did not personally know Soros and had never met him, despite having lived in the United States for several years.
“I don’t know him. I’ve never met him. I’ve seen him once or twice at a public meeting where he was speaking in New York, but I didn’t say hello to him. I didn’t go close to him. I have no idea,” he said.
Asked about the influence of prominent business figures such as Soros and Elon Musk on politics and policymaking, Pitroda said they could exert influence but were only among several stakeholders shaping public affairs.
“They have some influence. But they do their thing, and politicians do their thing, and people do their thing. Everybody has a job to do, and they all have a contribution to make,” he said.
Pitroda added that influential individuals might attempt to shape policies to serve their interests, but that did not mean they controlled nations.
“They try to change policy to benefit them, but they don’t run a nation. Unless you are a country of two million people, that’s okay, perhaps,” he said.
Pitroda also addressed the exchange on social media platform X between Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Musk over the proposed entry of Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, into the Indian market.
Rejecting suggestions that Gandhi’s response amounted to support for allocating spectrum to the company, Pitroda said the interaction should not be interpreted as a commitment on licensing.
“I don’t think Rahul Gandhi has supported it. Rahul Gandhi is not saying that you should be given spectrum. Don’t misunderstand. Rahul Gandhi basically responded to his little note, which is okay, perfectly all right. It didn’t mean anything,” he said.
He further cautioned against interpreting the exchange as an assurance that a Congress-led government would grant Musk a licence.
“It doesn’t mean that if Rahul Gandhi came to power, he’ll give a licence to Elon Musk. That’s not what it means. But again, people read different things,” Pitroda added.
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