[A/N: Here, the extra chapter of Monday that I missed]
Delhi – Prime Minister's Office, South Block – 15th May 1948
The afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows of Arjun Mehra's office, casting long shadows across the polished wooden desk.
Reports about India's industrial transformation lay scattered across the surface—blueprints for new factories, progress updates on the Ashoka Group, shipping schedules for the foreign machinery that would arrive in just a few months.
But today, the world beyond India's borders demanded attention.
A stack of urgent cables from the Ministry of External Affairs sat in the center of Arjun's desk, each bearing the red stamp that meant "immediate priority."
The news they contained had been something that he had expected, but that didn't make it any less significant: the British Mandate in Palestine had officially ended, and with breathtaking speed, the State of Israel had been declared.
Arjun leaned back in his chair, studying the large map of the Middle East that hung on the wall beside his desk. He had known this day would come—his knowledge of future events made that certain. But knowing history and managing its immediate consequences were two very different things.
The intercom on his desk crackled to life. "Please send for Minister Menon and Director Sharma," he said. "Tell them it's urgent."
Krishna Menon arrived within minutes, his usually composed face showing signs of strain. He carried his own folder of diplomatic cables, clearly having spent the morning trying to understand the rapidly evolving situation.
Director Sharma followed close behind, his expression as unreadable as always, but Arjun could see the intelligence assessments tucked under his arm.
"Gentlemen," Arjun began without preamble, gesturing for them to take seats across from his desk. "The State of Israel has been declared. War has broken out across the region. What does this mean for India?"
Menon opened his folder and consulted his notes. "Prime Minister, the situation is chaotic, as one could expect. Egypt, Transjordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq have all declared war on the new state. Their armies are already moving.
The entire Arab world sees this as a Western conspiracy, another injustice imposed on Muslim lands."
He paused, looking up from his papers. "The Islamic bloc is in uproar. They're calling for complete solidarity against Israel. Even in what's left of Pakistan, despite their own desperate situation, people are demanding support for the Arab cause."
Sharma leaned forward slightly. "Public sentiment in the region, gathered from foreign radio broadcasts and limited local reports, confirms widespread popular outrage in the Islamic world.
This isn't just a government position, ordinary people are genuinely angry. They see Israel's creation as proof that the West will always favor non-Muslims over Muslims."
Arjun nodded, absorbing the information. "And the Western powers? How are they responding?"
"The Americans recognized Israel almost immediately," Menon replied. "President Truman announced it just minutes after the declaration.
But they're walking a tightrope—they want to support Israel while not completely alienating the Arab states, especially given their oil interests."
"The British are in a more complicated position," Sharma added. "They've withdrawn from Palestine, but they still have significant interests throughout the Arab world.
They're trying to maintain influence with both sides, which means they're not taking strong positions either way. Especially when they're the one responsible for all this mess."
Arjun unfurled the global map, his eyes tracing the borders of the new conflict zone. He could see the long-term implications clearly, decades of wars, proxy conflicts, and deepening divisions that would reshape global politics.
But he could also see immediate opportunities for India.
"This development," he said slowly, still studying the map, "changes everything about global attention and priorities.
The focus of London and Washington will now be consumed by Middle Eastern geopolitics. Their diplomatic resources and their intelligence operations, all will be diverted to managing this crisis."
He turned back to face his advisors. "This gives us breathing room, gentlemen. Valuable time to continue our internal consolidation without unwanted foreign scrutiny."
Menon frowned. "But Prime Minister, we can't simply ignore this situation. The Islamic world will expect us to take a strong position supporting the Arab cause. Our humanitarian aid corridor to Pakistan depends on maintaining good relations with these countries."
"You're thinking too conventionally, Menon-ji," Arjun replied, returning to his seat. "India will not be trapped into choosing sides based on religious solidarity. We will chart our own course."
He pulled out a clean sheet of paper and began writing notes. "Draft a statement for my review. India will recognize the State of Israel, acknowledging its right to exist as established by international law.
But simultaneously, we will express deep sympathy for the Palestinian Arabs and call for a peaceful resolution that ensures justice for all peoples in the region."
The silence in the room was profound. Both men stared at him with expressions of surprise and concern.
"Recognize Israel?" Menon asked carefully. "Prime Minister, that will cause an uproar throughout the Islamic world. They'll see it as a betrayal, especially coming so soon after our position on Pakistan."
"Let them be upset," Arjun said firmly. "India's foreign policy will be based on national interest, not religious sentiment. The Islamic bloc needs our aid corridor more than we need their approval.
That gold flowing through our territory, is to help Pakistan—they can't access it any other way.
Not to mention, they supported creation of Pakistan as well. We're already being generous by being neutral."
He leaned forward, his voice becoming more intense. "Besides, this position establishes India as truly non-aligned. We're not automatically siding with either the Western powers or the Islamic bloc. We're making independent judgments based on our own principles."
Sharma, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "There's another strategic consideration, Prime Minister. This crisis in the Middle East highlights the importance of energy security.
The region that supplies much of the world's oil is now at war. This makes our own efforts toward energy independence even more critical."
"Exactly," Arjun agreed. "Our Jwala division's work on oil exploration, our agreements with the Soviet Union for energy supplies—these become even more vital. We cannot allow India's industrial revolution to depend on regions prone to such instability."
He wanted the Jwala sub-division of Layer-I to directly explore the oil-rich areas of India in Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and even Andaman, but unfortunately, India didn't possessed the tools needed for that type of exploration.
But not for long, maybe a few couple years. Until then, they have to reply on already existing oil fields and foreign imports.
He stood again, this time walking to the window that overlooked the government complex. "Think about the broader implications, gentlemen. Every major power will be drawn into this conflict, directly or indirectly.
The Americans will be supporting Israel while trying to maintain Arab relationships. The British will be attempting to preserve their regional influence. The Soviets will see it as an opportunity to expand their presence in Middle East as well."
"Menon-ji," Arjun continued, "begin exploring—very discreetly—opportunities for India to serve as a mediator once the initial fighting dies down. Not immediately, when emotions are running high, but in the coming months when all sides are exhausted and looking for face-saving solutions."
Menon looked skeptical. "Do you really think any of the parties would accept Indian mediation? We have no historical connection to the region, no special expertise in Middle Eastern affairs."
"That's exactly why they might accept us," Arjun replied with a slight smile. "We have no colonial baggage in the region, unlike the other parties.
As a newly independent nation that's successfully managed its own complex religious and ethnic divisions, we could offer a fresh perspective."
He sat back down, his expression becoming more serious. "But that's a long-term possibility. Our immediate focus must be on ensuring this crisis doesn't disrupt our own development plans.
The foreign machinery shipments, the industrial projects, the social transformation programs, none of these can be delayed because of Middle Eastern politics."
The three men sat in contemplative silence for a moment, each considering the complex web of consequences that would flow from the day's events.
After his advisors left, Arjun remained at his desk, staring at the map of the Middle East. Red pins marked the locations where fighting had already begun.
Soon, those pins would spread across the region as the conflict expanded and intensified.
But Arjun will keep India far from this mess. It's for others to handle. For now. Once Ashoka Group starts to work in full capacity, every conflict, will be the means to spread Indian influence.