Chereads / The Secret Shadow of Delhi / Chapter 17 - Political Alliances

Chapter 17 - Political Alliances

Prithviraj Singh knew that to secure his burgeoning defense empire, he would need more than just technological superiority; he needed political allies who could protect his interests and pave the way for future growth. The first step in this direction was to establish connections with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), two of the most influential political forces in India.

The negotiations began quietly, with discreet meetings held in various locations to avoid unwanted attention. Prithviraj, a master of strategic communication, carefully presented his case. He emphasized his commitment to India's security and his vision of making the country self-reliant in defense technology. He knew that the RSS, with its deep-rooted ideology of nationalism and self-sufficiency, would resonate with his goals. The BJP, with its rising political power, was also looking for partners who could contribute to their vision of a stronger, more secure India.

During the discussions, Prithviraj showcased his company's achievements and future plans, highlighting how his innovations could give India a strategic edge. He offered the RSS and BJP access to cutting-edge technology, not just for military applications but also for broader national security purposes. He proposed that in exchange for their political support and protection, he would ensure that his company's advancements would be aligned with their ideological goals of national strength and sovereignty.

The RSS leadership was particularly interested in the potential of using Prithviraj's technologies to strengthen local defense capabilities, reducing India's dependence on foreign arms. The BJP, on the other hand, saw an opportunity to bolster their political narrative of a strong, self-reliant India by aligning with a visionary like Prithviraj. They recognized that having a homegrown defense company with advanced capabilities would be a significant political asset.

Prithviraj's offer wasn't just about business; it was about creating a strategic alliance where both parties would benefit in the long term. He promised not only to provide the necessary technology and innovation but also to offer his resources in intelligence gathering and political strategy, ensuring that their shared goals were met.

After several rounds of intense negotiation, a formal alliance was forged. The RSS and BJP agreed to back Prithviraj's ventures, offering political support, easing regulatory hurdles, and providing access to government contracts. In return, Prithviraj committed to keeping his company's technological advancements aligned with the nationalistic ideals of the RSS and BJP, ensuring that India's defense capabilities would be in the hands of patriots, not foreign powers.

This alliance was more than just a business arrangement; it was a strategic partnership that solidified Prithviraj's position as a key player in India's defense and political landscape. With the RSS and BJP on his side, Prithviraj was no longer just a businessman—he was a force to be reckoned with, with the backing of two of the most powerful organizations in the country. This new alliance would not only protect his interests but also enable him to influence the direction of India's defense policies for years to come.

As Prithviraj Singh's influence and power grew, so did the attention he attracted from various corners, including India's premier intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The recent political upheavals and the sudden downfall of several high-ranking officials, who had been involved in dubious activities against Prithviraj, had not gone unnoticed. Though these officials had been quietly but decisively neutralized, the manner of their destruction raised suspicions within the intelligence community.

RAW, known for its deep investigative prowess, began to piece together the limited evidence they had. Whispers of a new power player behind the scenes—someone with the ability to orchestrate complex political maneuvers—started circulating within their corridors. The evidence was scarce and fragmented, but it was enough to pique their interest and warrant further investigation.

Prithviraj had anticipated that his actions might attract the attention of RAW. He had taken great care to cover his tracks, ensuring that his involvement in the downfall of these officials was nearly impossible to trace. However, he knew that an agency like RAW would eventually connect the dots, even if they could only form a partial picture.

One day, as Prithviraj was overseeing the latest developments in his company, he received an unexpected visitor at his Gurgaon facility: the Deputy Director of RAW, Raghavendra Deshmukh. Officially, the visit was under the guise of evaluating the new firearms developed by Anant Defence Limited, a plausible cover considering the agency's interest in cutting-edge defense technology. But Prithviraj knew better. The Deputy Director was not here merely to test weapons; he was here to assess Prithviraj Singh himself.

As they walked through the sleek corridors of the research and development wing, Deshmukh casually mentioned the recent political changes, his tone neutral but probing. "It's interesting how certain individuals have found themselves in such unfortunate circumstances," he remarked, glancing at Prithviraj to gauge his reaction.

Prithviraj met his gaze calmly. "Sometimes, those who play with fire get burned," he replied, his words carrying a subtle edge. The conversation was a delicate dance, each man testing the other, searching for weaknesses.

Eventually, as they reached the firing range where the new pistols were being demonstrated, Deshmukh dropped the pretense. "We know you had a hand in what happened, Mr. Singh. The evidence is limited, but the pattern is unmistakable. The way things unfolded… it was too precise, too well-coordinated. But I also know that whatever you've done, you did it for the country."

Prithviraj knew that RAW could be either a powerful ally or a formidable enemy, depending on how he handled this situation. Deciding that honesty, albeit selective, was the best approach, he acknowledged his involvement. "Yes, I did what was necessary to protect my interests and, more importantly, to protect this nation from those who sought to exploit it."

Deshmukh's expression softened slightly, the hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You're a patriot, Mr. Singh. But the methods you used… they're unconventional, to say the least. RAW doesn't usually condone such actions, but in this case, I can see the benefit."

Prithviraj seized the opportunity to propose a mutually beneficial arrangement. "I understand your concerns, and I assure you that my actions will always align with the best interests of India. I have resources—information, technology—that could be invaluable to RAW. We could work together, discreetly, of course. I can provide intelligence and support in exchange for certain… considerations."

Deshmukh hesitated, weighing the risks and rewards of such a partnership. The idea of having an ally with Prithviraj's capabilities was tempting. After a moment, he nodded. "This stays between us and the Director. You'll provide information and assistance when needed, and in return, we'll ensure that your operations remain… unimpeded."

With that, a new and secretive alliance was forged. Prithviraj had successfully turned a potential threat into an ally, further securing his position and expanding his influence within the highest levels of power. The Deputy Director left that day, satisfied with the arrangement, while Prithviraj knew that he had just taken another step towards becoming an untouchable force in the Indian defense sector.

After his frank discussion with the Deputy Director of RAW, Prithviraj Singh was left to ponder the implications of their new arrangement. The stakes were higher now, and he knew that every move he made would be scrutinized more closely than ever before. Yet, this was the kind of challenge he thrived on—balancing on the edge of power, where one misstep could lead to ruin, but success would bring unparalleled influence.

A few days later, Prithviraj was in his office at the Anant Defence Limited headquarters when his secretary informed him that Deputy Director Raghavendra Deshmukh had arrived unannounced. Prithviraj was not surprised; he had expected that RAW would want to keep a close eye on him after their agreement. He instructed his secretary to let Deshmukh in.

Deshmukh entered with the air of someone who had much to discuss. After the customary exchange of pleasantries, he got straight to the point. "Mr. Singh, I have a proposition that could benefit us both," he said, his tone revealing just how serious the matter was.

Prithviraj leaned back in his chair, signaling his willingness to listen. "Go on."

Deshmukh began to outline a plan that had clearly been on his mind for some time. "RAW is constantly in need of advanced defense systems and intelligence-gathering tools that are not readily available on the open market. Given your company's recent developments and your... innovative approach to problem-solving, we believe you could provide us with what we need."

Prithviraj raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what exactly do you need from me?"

Deshmukh hesitated, then continued. "We want you to develop a specialized communication and surveillance system—something that can be deployed across multiple theaters of operation, both domestically and internationally. It needs to be cutting-edge, secure, and most importantly, it must be deniable if it ever comes to light."

Prithviraj understood immediately what Deshmukh was asking for: a system that could be used for covert operations, with no traceable link back to RAW or the Indian government. The implications were vast, and the risks were high, but the rewards were equally significant.

Deshmukh continued, "In exchange, we will ensure that your company has the full backing of the government. Your projects will receive priority status, and any... difficulties you might encounter with bureaucracy will be smoothed over."

Prithviraj took a moment to consider the offer. It was tempting, not just because of the potential profits, but because it would solidify his company's position as a critical player in India's defense infrastructure. However, he was not one to jump into a deal without ensuring that all angles were covered.

"I'm interested," Prithviraj finally said, "but I need more details. What exactly are you envisioning for this system, and what kind of resources will RAW provide to support its development?"

Deshmukh seemed pleased with Prithviraj's cautious approach. He pulled out a folder and handed it to him. "This is a preliminary outline of what we need. As for resources, you'll have access to any government facilities, intelligence data, and personnel you require. We can also arrange for certain technologies to be transferred to you under the guise of civilian research."

Prithviraj opened the folder and quickly scanned the contents. It was an ambitious project, but one that was within his capabilities. He looked up at Deshmukh and nodded. "Consider it done. I'll have my team start work on it immediately."

Deshmukh smiled, clearly satisfied with the outcome. "I knew we could count on you, Mr. Singh. Just remember, this is a partnership—our interests are aligned, and as long as we continue to work together, there's nothing we can't achieve."

After Deshmukh left, Prithviraj sat in his office, contemplating the path he had chosen. He had always known that power came with a price, and now he was paying it, not with money, but with his involvement in the shadowy world of covert operations. Yet, he also knew that this was the only way to secure his future and the future of his company.

With RAW's support, Anant Defence Limited would become untouchable, a cornerstone of India's defense network. But the cost of this alliance was high, and Prithviraj was acutely aware that any misstep could bring everything crashing down. Still, he was confident in his ability to navigate these treacherous waters. After all, he had always thrived under pressure, and this was just another challenge to overcome on his way to the top.