Former RAW chief Vikram Sood stated that peace with Pakistan is unlikely without a change in its approach, contrasting India's regional support with a lack of reciprocal backing. He emphasized the importance of military strength for governance and noted China's economic challenge to the US. Sood advised India to engage logically with major powers like the US and China, citing recent assertive military operations such as the Balakot airstrike as examples of India's growing strategic assertiveness.