Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Vikram Sood stated that peace with Pakistan is impossible without a fundamental change in Islamabad's approach, criticizing the futility of negotiations. He highlighted India's past support for regional crises like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, contrasting it with a lack of reciprocal backing for India. Sood emphasized the importance of national strength, military capability, and manufacturing independence, citing China's economic challenge to the US. He advised India to engage logically with major powers like the US and China, rather than relying on external support, pointing to recent assertive military operations as evidence of India's growing strategic assertiveness.