Delhi – Prime Minister's Office, South Block – May 6th, 1949
The door closed behind Pant and Shastri. Arjun sat at his desk for a moment, staring at the Nagaland Governor's cable. Finally, after what felt like forever, he looked at Sardar Patel who was about to leave.
"Sardar-ji, what's your schedule like for the next couple of days?"
Patel paused and looked at him curiously. "Why? What are you planning now?"
Arjun stood up and walked over to the wall map. His finger traced the route to the Naga Hills. "I'm planning of visiting there. The Naga Hills, I mean. I need to see it for myself."
Patel's expression shifted immediately. "Arjun, that's not a good idea. The Governor's report made it clear that people there are uncertain about us. The terrain is difficult as it is, security would be complicated, and frankly, we don't even know how they'll react to having Delhi's leadership show up."
"That's exactly why I need to go," Arjun said, turning to face him. "If I want people in the Northeast to trust Delhi, I can't just sit here sending cables and orders. I need to actually go there, talk to them face to face, show them that their concerns matter."
He walked back to his desk. "They need to see that the Prime Minister of India is willing to come to their home, not just summon them to Delhi. It's about building trust, not just issuing directives."
Patel rubbed his brows, thinking it through. This was quite straightforward, maybe too much, but he could see the logic. "Alright, if you're doing this, we will need serious security preparations.
Director Sharma will have to send advance teams. They can coordinate with the Delhi police's special branch for the security. Every single step needs to be planned out carefully."
"I know, Sardar-ji. Security comes first, obviously. But I also need this to look like outreach, not some law enforcement invasion. I want you to come with me. Your reputation with tribal leaders and your credibility will help make them more comfortable."
It needs to be known that Arjun wasn't really keen on dragging the old man with him to such a harsh region. Unfortunately, he didn't know anyone else who can replace his role in the upcoming visit.
Patel nodded slowly. It would be a hard trip, perhaps physically demanding for someone his age. But he understood why it mattered. "Fine. I'll do it. I'll start coordinating with IB and the Special Branch today."
Delhi, Prime Minister's Secretariat - May 7th, 1949
The next morning, a message went out to the Nagaland Governor:
From: Prime Minister's Secretariat, Delhi
To: Office of the Governor, Nagaland
Date: 7 May 1949
Subject: Upcoming Prime Ministerial Visit and Policy Framework
Governor,
The Prime Minister has reviewed your report from May 6th regarding the Naga Council and appreciates your assessment of the situation.
Prime Minister Mehra will visit the Naga Hills within approximately two weeks, pending completion of security arrangements. Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel will accompany him.
During this visit, the Prime Minister intends to meet directly with the Naga Council, village elders, and community representatives to:
1. Clarify the framework for local self-administration: Village councils will retain authority over customary laws, land usage within traditional bounds, and cultural practices. Union authority covers sovereignty, defense, major infrastructure, and economic integration.
2. Announce immediate commencement of infrastructure projects: Road connectivity to East Bengal, power grid expansion, communication networks.
3. Discuss establishment of educational and medical facilities tailored to local needs.
Please coordinate all necessary arrangements with our central security teams. This visit should demonstrate Delhi's commitment to partnership and development, not merely administrative control.
Regards,
Prime Minister's Secretariat
Arjun reviewed the message before it was sent.
While he and the rest were preparing for this upcoming visit, the same afternoon, another cable arrived from the Indian High Commission in London. It was an invitation to attend the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conferences scheduled for May 14th, 1949. That was just days before his planned Naga Hills trip.
Arjun stared at message on his desk. The timing was terrible indeed. But that wasn't what he was thinking about.
'May 14th huh. Wasn't this supposed to happen by the end of the previous month, April?'
Indeed. In his previous timeline, Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conferences took place between 22nd April to 27th April, 1949. Arjun had thought that it wouldn't take place in this timeline, since there was no such event in April. But it looks like he was wrong.
'I wonder what else will be different about this meeting', Arjun thought as he closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.
The Commonwealth meeting was important for international positioning, but the Northeast visit was critical for domestic stability. He couldn't do both at the same time. Not unless he cut short his trip to Britain.
"Krishna-ji is still Britain. He should already be aware of this news."
He pressed the intercom. "Get me Sardar Patel ji and also setup a diplomatic cable to our High Commission in Britain. I need to discuss something."
When Patel arrived, Arjun pushed the London invitation across his desk. "CPMC meeting on May 14th, Sardar-ji. What do you think about this?"
Patel read it quickly. "It would be diplomatically significant, Arjun. First major Commonwealth gathering since our independence. Your presence would be quite significant as the first Prime Minister of India"
"But…It would also mean delaying the Naga Hills visit," he pointed out. "We have already started all the preparations and also told the Governor we'd be there in two weeks. Are you sure about it?"
Arjun leaned back in his chair. "Not necessarily. I can always return early. Northeast can't wait. We've already neglected it too long. As for the CPMC, it's equally important, but for different reasons."
Patel lifted an eyebrow. "And what reasons would those be?"
Arjun paused for a moment, before looking at Patel with a slight grin. "Why don't you take a guess, Sardar-ji?"
Seeing this, Patel let out an amused snorted. "I can't think of other reasons except discussing about the gold transfers on the sidelines."
Arjun's grin widened. "Correct! But not entirely. The real reason is that I'll officially announce India's departure from this diplomatic circus that is built to keep that crippled empire feeling important."
"…."
For a second, Patel simply stared at him. His mouth parted slightly, as if he meant to respond, but nothing came out.
"Leaving the Commonwealth… at their summit?"
A short, dry laugh slipped out of Patel. "Haha, of course," he muttered, shaking his head. "Of course you'd pick the most dramatic possible stage."
Arjun leaned back, unbothered. "Hehe, history remembers the moments that are impossible to ignore, Sardar-ji."
Patel snorted softly. "And the British? They'll probably fall out of their chairs."
Arjun smiled. "Good. It's time they did."
Though Patel could understand Arjun's the reasoning behind this move, he couldn't help but weigh the cons that come with it.
Leaving the Commonwealth means that India will officially be dissolving any type of symbolic colonial stain that was subtly present even though it's not directly visible. And Patel respected that. But…rationally speaking, there was much more to lose.
CPMC also served as a means of connection with other commonwealth nations.
"You know," he said carefully, "walking out won't just bruise their egos. It'll also close the doors on us."
Arjun didn't interrupt.
"All things aside, Commonwealth still gives us easy access to Canberra, Ottawa, and nearly half of Africa without needing us to posture. Some of those leaders listen to us because we're in the same room. Outside it, they'll start recalibrating."
Arjun nodded. He had considered this while he took the decision.
"And then there's the narrative part," Patel continued. "London will almost certainly dress this up as India turning inward. Even Washington will wonder whether we're becoming…unpredictable."
Hearing this, Arjun scoffed. "Antagonizing India for leaving CPMC will be the last thing Brits would do, if they have any brains left. They won't do it, at least not publicly. As for Washington, I have a plan to deal with it."
Silence settled between them for a brief moment, before the intercom on Arjun's desk rang.
"Prime Minister, we have established a secure cable to the India House."
Arjun nodded. "Alright. I'll be there."
He got up from his seat as he gestured Patel to follow him to the adjoining room.
As they stepped into the room, they could hear a faint crackle of the line. Finally, without any more delay, Arjun spoke.
"This is Arjun. Go ahead"
There was a brief pause, then the familiar voice came through, "Good afternoon, Prime Minister. Menon here."
Arjun didn't waste time. "Krishna-ji, I have reviewed the CPMC invitation. I wanted to inform you directly that I'll be attending the meeting. So, please ensure all the necessary arrangements are in place."
"Great", Menon replied enthusiastically. "You can leave those details to me, Prime Minister. I'll notify the British officials about your arrival and will coordinate accordingly."
"Good", Arjun nodded and was about to end the call before a thought came to his mind. "Hmm…also, how is it going with Multhopp? I might see him personally once I'm done with the meeting there."
Menon was a bit surprised after hearing this. "Ah yes. I've been in touch with him. Just a few days ago, he mentioned that he's nearly wrapped up his pending affairs. If all goes as planned, he should be relocating within the next week or so."
Arjun nodded with satisfaction.
"Alright then. I'll see you there soon, Krishna-ji", Arjun said as he ended the call.
For a moment, Arjun remained where he was, staring at the darkened console. Finally, he turned towards Patel.
"Sardar-ji, please assemble the cabinet for tomorrow. It's better to discuss this with others as well."
Patel gave a brief nod as both men walked out of the room.