Join us for an unflinching conversation with Vikram Sood, former Chief of R&AW (India’s foreign intelligence agency), as he decodes the deeper layers behind the recent terror attacks in Kashmir and the shifting geopolitical chessboard. This episode explores the nature of modern asymmetric warfare, the role of local collaboration in cross-border terror, and the strategic motivations of Pakistan’s military establishment.

Mr. Sood also analyzes why India’s response must be calibrated, cold-blooded, and economic—and not always kinetic. He explains how China’s shadow looms large in the region, why Russia’s silence is worrying, and how the average Kashmiri today sees more value in integration with India than ever before. A must-watch for anyone interested in intelligence, national security, and India’s foreign policy in a multipolar world.

00:00 - Introduction & Recap of the Recent Terror Attack
01:10 - Tactical Breach or Strategic Failure?
04:00 - Why Pulling Troops Now Would Be a Mistake
06:00 - Kashmir’s Economy Beyond Tourism
08:00 - Political Unity vs. Opportunism After Attacks
10:00 - How the State Asserts Control Post-Attack
13:00 - Strategic Incentives Behind Proxy War
16:00 - Cold-Blooded Attacks and the Logic of Escalation
20:00 - Pakistan Army's Deep Interest in Prolonged Conflict
23:00 - Post-Article 370 Progress in Kashmir
26:00 - Can Kashmiri Pandits Return?
29:00 - China's Role and Strategic Interests in Kashmir
32:00 - Russian Ambivalence and Global Alignments
36:00 - The Problem with Emotional Responses
40:00 - When Should India Opt for Kinetic Action?
44:00 - Lessons from Balakot & Sri Lanka’s LTTE Strategy
48:00 - Media Narratives vs. Reality on the Ground
52:00 - Pakistan’s Motivation: From Obsession to Provocation
55:00 - Psychological Warfare and Narrative Control
59:00 - Kashmir’s Future and the Need for Inclusive Development
01:03:00 - China's Influence on India's Strategic Calculus
01:06:00 - Final Reflections: IPL, Humor, and Hope
01:07:00 - Thank You & Closing