Thunder Strikes Back

Chapter 87 All Powers
At noon on this day, in the US embassy in New Delhi, Indian Foreign Minister Chandra and US ambassador to India Christopher Anderson spent the whole morning discussing the final details of President Kahan's visit to the US. The talks were very difficult.For hours the ambassador repeatedly explained the US position.He said that there should have been a higher reception standard, but considering that most Americans are very disgusted with this sudden war, this state visit can only be downgraded, and the US government must return Prime Minister Kahan's speech to his alma mater The partial cancellation of the joint press conference with the White House, the closed-door meeting with the President can be kept, as the President is still very interested in hearing the Indian Prime Minister's explanation of the war, but it is unlikely that there will be a joint statement that the Indian government wants.The United States will not support a war that threatens the Indian Ocean, and the collapse of the current Pakistani government is likely to lead to nuclear proliferation problems.In principle, only if India does not escalate the conflict and recognizes the leading role of the United Nations in the conflict, can the relationship between the United States and India be repaired.

Chandra knows that he is unlikely to change the current facts. In fact, he himself does not quite understand the essence of this war, but as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he feels that he has to fight for the last time, at least one more time for the Prime Minister to visit the United States. Public speaking opportunities; Prime Minister Kahan once studied in the United States, his English is very good, and his eloquence is unparalleled, which may have a miraculous effect.

"Mr. Ambassador, the President of your country should fully consider that our two big countries have so much in common in the field of ideology. In any case, the world should not have the impression that the United States is isolating India. So Prime Minister Kahan still hopes to A public address to the American people."

"Your Excellency, you are not worrying too much. The US government's idea is actually very simple. It is to restore peace in the Indian Ocean region. This is the throat of world trade, and the interests of the United States are also included in it. That's all." Anderson immediately used a cliché Pushed Chandra back.

"There is still a lot of room for cooperation between us. If a minor issue is allowed to damage the interests of many other parties, I think it is ... ill-considered, and ... the Indian people like the American people." Chandra said , He tried his best to describe this war, which has killed and injured thousands of people, as an insignificant roadblock blocking the road of India-US relations.In fact, he himself felt that it was a very distorted fact to say such a thing.

"That's right, Your Excellency. But, as you know, the US government's established policy is not easy to change. Pakistan is not Palestine. Pakistan has also made sacrifices for the US's anti-terrorism needs, and it is a nuclear-armed country."

"But we have other, more important common interests, and together we must face the greatest threat in Asia. Weakening India will only neutralize the greatest bastion of the free world in Asia."

For some reason, Adelson's eyes flashed an imperceptible light, as if Chandra's words had touched him a little, but he didn't accept it.He waited for Chandra to speak.

"Mr. Ambassador, you know that China is giving Pakistan a steady stream of aid, fast and generous, and they have no code of conduct other than dominating Asia, while the United States, as the leader of the free world, is stuck on unrealistic moral principles , Constantly isolating India. This really chills Prime Minister Kahan or the Indian people." Chandra said with an old face, these absurd reasons, he could not say a month ago, but the war launched by Kahan , He has been taken in a long time ago, he doesn't care now.

"Perhaps...that's one reason why the President is willing to have a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Kahan, but...I don't think this meeting can change the US government's Asia strategy, and even if there is a change...IMHO, it will probably be in the After our country’s general election this year.”

Anderson brushed off the topic again, and it seems that today's talks will not make substantive progress.After a few rounds of nonsense, Chandra got up and said goodbye.

Anderson has been sending Chandra to the fountain in front of the main building of the embassy. Chandra's car slowly drove over from the underground garage. , for a few innocuous small talk.When the car arrived, the two sides shook hands again to say goodbye. Chandra turned around and was about to get into the car when Anderson suddenly walked over again.

"Oh, by the way, Minister, there is one more thing I almost forgot."

Chandra got out of the car again, and 40 years of diplomatic training told him that no regular diplomat will forget the content of the formal talks. The American ambassador is acting, but he still doesn't know what Anderson is about to sing.

"Out of consideration for the common security interests of your country, our government would like to remind your government of one thing. This may relieve part of the estrangement between us caused by this war."

"Oh? What?" Anderson's words were beyond Chandra's expectations.

"It's like this. When our fleet passed the west of Coniba Island early this morning, it discovered a Chinese nuclear submarine secretly sneaked into the Bay of Bengal. If your country needs it, we can tell you where the submarine was last found. In fact, That submarine is now..." Anderson stopped suddenly, as if he really forgot something this time, an American military attache next to him hurried forward and whispered something in his ear.

"Yes, 20 nautical miles east of Chennai port. As of 9 am." said the ambassador.Chandra knew that when he had a pretentious meeting with him this morning, the US embassy had been in effective contact with Washington, so he actually knew the position of the Chinese submarine at 9 o'clock.

Chandra's brain has some short-circuits. He knows that this is a signal sent out deliberately by an American, but he still doesn't know what kind of hint it is. He has been a diplomat in these years, and this is the first time he has encountered such a weird thing. .

"Mr. Ambassador, on behalf of the Prime Minister, I would like to thank your government for its selflessness. I will inform the Prime Minister of your country's reminder as soon as possible."

The two sides shook hands hypocritically for the third time. This time Anderson seemed calm and composed, as if he had nothing else to say suddenly. He and his wife stood by the fountain and watched Chandra get in the car and leave the US embassy.

As soon as Chandra left the gate of the embassy, ​​he was going to call the Prime Minister's Office, but after thinking about it, he asked the driver to drive directly to the Prime Minister's Office.

Chandra walked into the Prime Minister's Office, and the secretary informed him that the Prime Minister had been waiting for his news in the office, but when he entered the office quickly.Singh was also found in the office and there appeared to have been an argument as the prime minister looked unhappy.Chandra thought, it must be Singh, a fearless fool, who fired a very important old man in the army.However, this is none of his business, there is no need to ask, he has important things to report now.

"Dr. Chandra, what's the attitude of the Americans?" the prime minister asked, turning Singh aside.

"On the surface it's the same. It's hard to understand this war in our country. But..."

"but what?"

"That's why I came here in a hurry. Before I left, Anderson suddenly told me that the US fleet discovered that there was a Chinese nuclear submarine lurking near our eastern coast. The US government hoped that such top-secret news would help our safety. .”

Before Kahan could speak, Singh stood up abruptly with a look of excitement on his face.He keenly sensed the intentions of the Americans.

(End of this chapter)