President Gamal Abdel Nasser knew that Egypt's recent move had upset the balance, and the reactions were coming fast.
Nationalizing the Suez Canal was not only a blow to the colonial powers of Britain and France but a message to the entire world: Egypt would no longer be at the mercy of foreign interests.
The canal belonged to Egypt, and it was Egypt alone that would reap the rewards of its lifeline.
But confidence had its limits.
Reports were coming in daily of British and French troops mobilising.
Nasser knew that, despite Egypt's passion and pride, his forces might not stand a chance if the West unleashed their might.
He couldn't afford to underestimate them. The canal might be Egyptian soil, but it was still a choke point that Britain and France viewed as their lifeblood.
As he looked out over Cairo, a thought settled in his mind, India.
