Former R&AW chief Vikram Sood has warned that a strengthening of relations between India and China would present a significant geopolitical challenge for the United States, potentially leading to a scenario where Russia, India, and China form exclusive alliances that would be a "nightmare" for American interests. Sood's remarks gained attention after a Chinese state media report cited his interview where he referenced a supposed 2026 statement by US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau indicating that Washington would use tariffs and sanctions to curb India's economic growth and prevent it from becoming a major power rivaling the US. Sood further elaborated that the US historically favored Pakistan in its relationship with India due to perceived alignment of interests and expects allies like India to serve as markets and trading partners without exhibiting nationalism, while purchasing expensive American goods, a dynamic he claims India has largely navigated independently.

Former R&AW chief Vikram Sood has warned that a strengthening of relations between India and China would present a significant geopolitical challenge for the United States, potentially leading to a scenario where Russia, India, and China form exclusive alliances that would be a "nightmare" for American interests. Sood's remarks gained attention after a Chinese state media report cited his interview where he referenced a supposed 2026 statement by US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau indicating that Washington would use tariffs and sanctions to curb India's economic growth and prevent it from becoming a major power rivaling the US. Sood further elaborated that the US historically favored Pakistan in its relationship with India due to perceived alignment of interests and expects allies like India to serve as markets and trading partners without exhibiting nationalism, while purchasing expensive American goods, a dynamic he claims India has largely navigated independently.

Former R&AW chief Vikram Sood has warned that a strengthening of relations between India and China would present a significant geopolitical challenge for the United States, potentially leading to a scenario where Russia, India, and China form exclusive alliances that would be a "nightmare" for American interests. Sood's remarks gained attention after a Chinese state media report cited his interview where he referenced a supposed 2026 statement by US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau indicating that Washington would use tariffs and sanctions to curb India's economic growth and prevent it from becoming a major power rivaling the US. Sood further elaborated that the US historically favored Pakistan in its relationship with India due to perceived alignment of interests and expects allies like India to serve as markets and trading partners without exhibiting nationalism, while purchasing expensive American goods, a dynamic he claims India has largely navigated independently.

One of the major geopolitical scenarios could play out for the US if India and China develop good relations, a former chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), told THE WEEK in an exclusive chat.

Former spymaster Vikram Sood, who, as the Secretary, headed (R&AW), India’s secretive external intelligence agency, said, “America has been half-hearted about getting India on its side against China, but certainly does not want Sino-Indian normalcy, let alone amity. Yes, this would be a nightmare, but think of the three BRICS nations, Russia, India and China working out exclusive equations.”

Sood is in the news after Chinese state mouthpiece daily ‘Global Times’ published a story on Sunday (July 5) on his interview to a British media outlet where he cited a March 2026 statement by US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau that “Washington will use tariffs, sanctions and other tools to curb India's rapid economic growth and will not allow it to emerge as a major power competing with the US”.

“It was part of an hour-long speech at the Raisina Dialogue 2026 where Landau waxed eloquent about the possibilities of a good relationship between the US and India based on trade and other issues when he made the comment that he did. Perhaps he did not want Indians to get carried away, assuming the US was opening all doors.”

Sood quoted Landau as saying that the US will put all sorts of restrictions on India “not to let India's economy grow” and admitting that the US made a mistake by helping China become a major economic power. “We're not going to do that with India. We'll not make that mistake again…”

Asked if he distinctly got that feeling when he was leading the R&AW, Sood said, “All nations try to seek better deals in their national interest. America is able to assert itself much more strongly than other countries—through treaties, agreements, pressure and even coercion.”

“The US was always partial to Pakistan’s position vis-à-vis India because Pakistan was seen as the one helping in the securing and extending of American interests in the region... we (India) are on our own”.

On what the US expects from India, the former spymaster said: “The same as from others who are friends or allies. To be a good market, resource, not be nationalistic, be a good trading partner and buy American oil, pharma, military hardware of the most expensive kind and agricultural produce.”

Sood headed R&AW from 2000 to 2003 and served 31 years in the agency. He has recently written a book ‘Great Power Games’.

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