The Indian National Congress (INC) has opened an overseas office in Turkey, according to reports. According to a statement issued by the Congress’s Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) on the Istanbul-based office, Mohammad Yusuf Khan will preside over the IOC office in Turkey. "He will help build IOC organization & institution in Turkey," the statement said.
Congress party had led India’s independence movement against British rule and subsequently ruled the country of 1.3 billion population for more than half of its independent history. "In this capacity you will identify and work with qualified, capable, committed and concerned people to lead our various initiatives," the statement added.
However, the opening of office in Turkey also triggered a row amid Turkish President’s stand on Kashmir. Turkey has been raising concerns over India's Kashmir move, which was supported by most countries.
Rahul Gandhi's political mentor and on of the loyalists of his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, Sam Pitroda is the head of Indian Overseas Congress. Recently, during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Pitroda created a controversy during when he tried to underplay the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, by saying, “happened in 1984, so what.”