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