Former RAW chief Vikram Sood didn’t mince words in a recent interview with , labeling Pakistan a “banana republic” and slamming its Army Chief Asim Munir as a “Jihadi General.” Speaking from New Delhi on October 2, Sood painted a stark picture of the Pakistani military, saying its officers are driven by ideology rather than professionalism.
“He (Asim Munir) is an Islamic Jihadi General,” Sood said. “Hindus and Muslims cannot live together—can you imagine an Indian general speaking like this? Never. Our officers are professional; theirs are ideological. Their goal is to rule, and they see victory differently. For them, holding onto land is a win, even if it costs lives.”
Sood’s sharp critique extended to a bizarre incident involving the Asia Cup 2025 trophy. Reports surfaced that Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi planned to take the trophy home with him, sparking widespread amusement and ridicule. Sood called it a classic “banana republic” move. “It’s hilarious—it’ll never happen anywhere else in the world,” he told . “That’s the neighbor we’ve got: a banana republic with nuclear weapons.”
Turning to the ongoing Balochistan crisis, Sood highlighted how human rights violations there are fueling a growing resistance. He noted that the movement, a long-simmering issue in Pakistan’s restive province, has evolved. “Earlier, the middle class and lower middle class stayed out of these movements,” Sood explained. “Now, it’s become a middle-class fight, which makes it more dangerous. You’ve got educated people involved, and it’s far more serious than anything I’ve seen in the last 20 years.”
He also speculated on Pakistan’s motives, suggesting the country might be dangling its rare earth minerals to seek protection from the United States. “They could spend 20 years hunting for those minerals and still come up empty—they’re that rare,” Sood said. “They’ll get some cash, but a chunk will end up in places like the Cayman Islands, Geneva, Zurich, or London. That’s how they operate.”
This comes amid international scrutiny of Pakistan’s human rights record. Earlier, geopolitical researcher Josh Bowes raised alarms about abuses in Pakistan and the Balochistan unrest during the 34th meeting of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. As tensions simmer, Sood’s comments underscore the deep-rooted challenges in India-Pakistan relations and the volatile situation in Balochistan.
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