India, Oct. 2 -- Reacting to the controversy surrounding the Asia Cup trophy, former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) chief Vikram Sood described Pakistan as a "banana republic," saying, "that's what we have got as a neighbour."

Sood was asked about the controversy after reports emerged that Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Mohsin Naqvi had taken the trophy with him. Reacting to the incident in an interview with news agency ANI, he called it a "banana republic reaction."

"It's hilarious... It'll never happen anywhere in the world. That's a banana republic reaction. That's what we've got as a neighbour. A banana republic with a nuclear weapon," the former RAW chief said.

He also criticised the Pakistani army for being led by ideological of...