As Neeraj left the room, Rohan stared at the map again, his mind considering the various strategies Chinese use in the orginal timeline and contingencies, and potential outcomes they achieved.
The clock was ticking, and with every passing moment, the stakes grew higher. But there was no room for hesitation. Rohan had always believed in meticulous planning and decisive action, and this time would be no different.
Rohan traced his fingers over the map, his eyes focusing on the areas of concern Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Tibetan plateau beyond.
The terrain was unforgiving but it was the human element that concerned him most. His soldiers would be the ones facing the harsh realities of this conflict, should it come to that.
Manisha came in knocking the door , breaking his concentration. "Prime Minister, General Singh would like to have a word with you before he leaves."
Rohan straightened. "Send him in."
General Singh entered the room, his uniform crisp and his expression resolute. The General was a man of few words, known for his no-nonsense approach. He had been at the forefront of numerous operations, his experience vast and invaluable.
"General," Rohan greeted him, gesturing for him to take a seat.
"Prime Minister," General Singh began, his voice steady, "I wanted to discuss a few tactical considerations before I head back to the command center."
Rohan nodded, signaling for him to continue.
"The Chinese have been meticulous in their preparations," General Singh said, leaning slightly forward. "But they have vulnerabilities, particularly in their reliance on extended supply lines through difficult terrain. If it comes to an armed standoff, those supply lines could become their Achilles' heel. However, targeting them directly could escalate the situation faster than we can control."
Rohan considered this. "So we need to be strategic in how we exert pressure enough to show we're serious, but not so much that we force their hand into open conflict."
"Exactly," General Singh replied. "We can disrupt their supply chains subtly through indirect means. Sabotage operations, misinformation campaigns, anything that causes delays or forces them to divert resources without direct confrontation. Our Special Forces are equipped for such missions, but we'll need precise intelligence."
Rohan nodded, appreciating the strategic insight. "I'll coordinate with Rao and Jayaram to ensure we get the intel you need. But I also want us to be prepared for the possibility that this escalates despite our best efforts. We can't assume they'll respond predictably."
General Singh's expression hardened slightly. "Understood, Prime Minister. We're preparing for every scenario, including full-scale conflict. Our troops are being briefed and prepared for extended deployment, with emphasis on adaptability and resilience. But I want to be clear if it comes to a fight, our soldiers are ready. They're motivated and aware of what's at stake."
Rohan met the General's gaze, feeling the weight of his words. He knew the General spoke not just from a strategic standpoint, but from a deeply personal one.
Soldiers were not just numbers on a map; they were men and women with families, people who had committed their lives to protecting the nation.
"Thank you, General," Rohan said quietly. "I trust your judgment and the judgment of our troops on the ground. I'll do everything in my power to ensure they have the support they need."
General Singh stood, giving a crisp salute. "We'll do our duty, Prime Minister. Just give us the word."
Rohan returned the salute, watching as the General left the room. The silence that followed was thick. He took a deep breath, making himself ready for the decisions that lay ahead.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door this time, it was K.N. Rao. The R&AW Chief entered with a calm demeanor, but Rohan could see the concern in his eyes.
Rao was known for his ability to remain composed under pressure, a trait that had served him well in the high-stakes world of intelligence.
"Prime Minister," Rao began, taking a seat across from Rohan, "I've been reviewing the latest intelligence on Chinese activities in Tibet and the border regions. There's something that may interest you."
Rohan leaned forward, curious. "Go on, Rao."
"We've identified several logistical hubs that the Chinese have been heavily relying on to support their operations in the region," Rao explained, pulling out a tablet and displaying satellite images. "These hubs are critical to their supply chain, particularly in maintaining their presence in the more remote areas. However, our analysis suggests that these hubs are vulnerable to disruptions, especially given the harsh environmental conditions and the relative isolation."
Rohan studied the images, his mind already working through the implications. "So if we were to target these hubs, we could potentially cripple their ability to sustain a prolonged standoff?"
"Precisely," Rao confirmed. "We don't need to engage them directly. Even minor disruptions severing a key route, creating delays in their supply deliveries could have a cascading effect on their operations. This would force them to either withdraw or overextend themselves further, which would only increase their vulnerability."
Rohan's eyes narrowed as he considered the possibilities. "This needs to be handled delicately. We can't afford for it to look like an overt act of aggression. If we're going to pull this off, it has to be done in a way that keeps our involvement deniable."
Rao nodded, already ahead of Rohan's thinking. "Our operatives are trained for precisely this type of mission. I'll coordinate with General Singh to ensure we have the necessary support on the ground. And we'll use misdirection leak information that suggests the disruptions are due to natural causes or internal logistical failures. This will buy us time and create confusion on their end."
Rohan appreciated Rao's thoroughness. "Do it, but make sure every detail is covered. We can't afford any mistakes."
"Understood, Prime Minister," Rao replied, rising to his feet. "I'll keep you updated on our progress."
As Rao left, Rohan stood and walked over to the window. The night had fallen outside, the city lights of Delhi twinkling in the distance. The calm exterior was the storm brewing beneath the surface, a storm that could very well engulf the entire region if not managed correctly.
His thoughts drifted to the meeting with Zhou Enlai. How would they navigate that conversation? Zhou was a shrewd politician, and Rohan knew he couldn't afford to underestimate him. The Chinese Premier would undoubtedly have his own agenda, one that would likely involve testing India's resolve and trying to extract concessions.
A light knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. It was Atma Jayaram, the Intelligence Bureau Chief, entering the room with a stack of documents in hand. His face was set in a serious expression, reflecting the weight of the information he carried.
"Prime Minister," Jayaram began, "I've compiled the latest intelligence reports on internal Chinese communications and troop movements. There's a pattern emerging that we need to address."
Rohan motioned for Jayaram to take a seat. "What's the pattern?"
Jayaram handed over the documents, his tone measured. "The Chinese are escalating their rhetoric internally messages to their troops emphasize a 'defensive' stance, but we believe this is a cover for more aggressive preparations. They're framing this as a defensive response to 'Indian provocations,' which suggests they're setting the stage for justifying further action."
Rohan frowned as he flipped through the reports. "So they're preparing their troops for a possible confrontation but dressing it up as a defensive maneuver. Classic misdirection."
"Exactly," Jayaram replied. "This isn't just about military positioning; it's about controlling the narrative. They're laying the groundwork to justify their actions both domestically and on the international stage. If we're not careful, they could spin any response from us as the aggression they've been warning their people about."
Rohan nodded, understanding the complexity of the situation. "We need to be proactive. We'll need to counter their narrative with one of our own emphasizing our commitment to peace and stability while making it clear that we won't tolerate any violations of our sovereignty."
Jayaram agreed, adding, "I'll work with our communications team to ensure we're prepared to respond to any Chinese propaganda. We'll also need to ramp up our intelligence-gathering efforts. If we can anticipate their next moves, we can stay one step ahead."
"Good," Rohan said, feeling a sense of clarity returning. "Coordinate with Rao and General Singh. This will be a multi-front effort military, intelligence, and diplomatic. We need to make sure every piece is in place before we sit down with Zhou Enlai."
Jayaram nodded and left the room, leaving Rohan alone with his thoughts once again. The map on his desk now seemed like a living entity each border line, each contested region pulsing with potential conflict. The challenge was immense.
With a final glance at the map, Rohan straightened in his chair, determination hardening his features. He reached for the phone on his desk and began making the calls that would set the wheels in motion. The time for reflection was over.