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New Delhi, Bharat, October 6, 1942
The atmosphere in the grand conference room of Rashtrapati Bhavan was tense as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Home Minister of Bharat, prepared for the crucial meeting. The British diplomats, led by Sir Archibald Wavell, entered with an air of arrogance, their demeanor unchanged despite Bharat's declaration of independence. The American diplomats, including Secretary of State Cordell Hull and Peggy Carter, were present to mediate the negotiations.
Sardar Patel, known for his iron will and unwavering resolve, stood tall and composed. His eyes, however, betrayed a deep-seated disdain for the British, a sentiment shared by many in the room. As the British delegation took their seats, Patel greeted them with a curt nod.
"Sir Wavell, welcome to Bharat," Patel said, his voice steady and authoritative.
Wavell responded with a dismissive wave. "Let's get on with it, Patel. We have no time for pleasantries."
"You people may have captured the colony of India while we are at war with the Axis, but don't you dare forget the might of Her Majesty's crown."
"Those metahumans and that Aryan Yadav you have who likes to play god, no matter how powerful they are the Empire does not fear them," he said, masking their unease regarding the metahumans with arrogance.
Patel and the diplomatic team of Bharat by his side were seething at the disrespectful words of this British envoy towards their country and President. While scoffing and trying to calm down his anger, he retorted, "Hmph, you may delude yourself by saying that, but I can see your fears clearly. The independence of Bharat was achieved by the collective might and determination of Bharatiyas, who want to live in a country ruled and governed by themselves."
"Your empire's power will never be able to match our resolve and collective might."
"In fact, we find it very strange that you talk about fighting against tyranny of Axis while doing the same to Bharatiyas and other colonies. Bharat has already given enough lives and wealth to the European colonizers. Also, it doesn't matter to us even if the UK is occupied by Germany, as for us, you two are the same expansionist and tyrannical nations."
Hearing that, Wavell and the British were very displeased and were about to retort with their own comebacks but were interrupted by the noise of a throat clearing by Peggy Carter who, sensing the rising tension, decided to intervene.
"Ahem, gentlemen, please calm down. This is not a meeting to berate each other. We are here to discuss the demands of Bharat from the UK in exchange for the release of political prisoners, which includes the previous Viceroy of Bharat and other high-ranking officers of the British colonizers."
Hearing the words of the American diplomat and the hidden implications from the Americans who were trying to make Bharat with its powerful metahumans join the Allies by showing their support for them, the British wanted to vent their anger on them but decided to swallow it and tried to calm themselves down as America was their ally and supporter without which the UK would not survive a day against the Nazis.
Sensing the support and hidden intentions of the Americans, Patel continued, "Ahem, yes, we are here to discuss the terms for the release of the former Viceroy and other high-ranking British officers. Bharat has made its demands clear."
Wavell leaned back in his chair, trying to keep his emotions at ease, and while frowning, replied, "Your demands are too excessive. While we need the Indian soldiers and resources for our war efforts don't you dare underestimate us, the British Empire does not bow to threats."
Patel's eyes narrowed, but he maintained his composure. "This is not a threat, Sir Wavell. It is a negotiation. Bharat is now a sovereign nation, and we expect to be treated with respect."
"The UK, during the colonization of Bharat, extracted trillions of dollars in wealth and resources, leaving us strapped for resources and resulting in famines across the country. Also, please don't make me start on the treatment of Bharatiyas by the British and Europeans over the years. I think we deserve everything we demand in exchange for what you all have done to our country and people over the 200 years of colonial rule."
Hearing those words the British were at a loss of words at it was a fact that they had never treated India fairly but their pride got the better of them and they started cursing the Indians for their own cruelty to withdraw from war when the situation was dire for UK.
After hearing their rant, Patel responded, "Bharatiya soldiers are required by their homeland to protect it from the expansionist forces that are in play including the British during this war. Infact this war has until now nothing to do with Bharat. Despite that we are now supporting the Allies with logistics and cheaper ammunition as a moral duty for fight against fascism."
Hearing that the British wanted to demand more from them but Peggy Carter, sensing the rising tension once again, interjected, "Gentlemen, Bharat has assured us that stands with the Allied forces in our fight , so, let's focus on finding a solution that benefits both parties. The release of the British officers is a matter of international concern."
Secretary Hull, hiding his displeasure at the direction of the negotiations during this crucial time, added, "Bharat's demands include the recognition of its independence, the withdrawal of British troops, the return of gold reserves and cultural artifacts, and reparations for the exploitation during colonial rule. These are reasonable requests given the circumstances."
Wavell scoffed at this, trying to calm his frustration, and offered reluctantly, "Reparations? Recognition we can assure, but you ask for too much money in the so-called reparations. In fact, see for yourself all the development we did to India during our rule."
"You people would have been in the Middle Ages and not have come out of it if our great empire did not come and bring advanced technology to your land."
At this moment, Aryan Yadav entered the meeting hall, having been listening to the conversation that was going on.
When Aryan entered, there was an intense amount of pressure emanating from him, strangely only affecting the British, but still felt by all the people present in the room.
Captain America, who always stood up for freedom and fought against fascism, was listening to the conversation while inwardly displeased about the actions of the British. He immediately went on high alert, seeing the oppressive feeling coming from Aryan. He realized that even if he used all his powers and weapons, he would not be able to even scratch Aryan. But even if he had to sacrifice his life to save the American diplomats and Peggy, he would do it.
After being interrupted and unable to speak or even breathe due to the sudden overwhelming pressure on them, Wavell and the British were very terrified and swallowed the next words they were going to say while trying with difficulty to breathe.
After seeing the British diplomats unable to breathe due to the pressure emanating from him, Aryan relaxed the pressure, which put everyone in the room, including Captain America, at ease.
Aryan broke the silence, scoffing and saying with his cold and authoritative voice, "Hmph, you British like to say the same thing over and over that you brought development to Bharat and its people, but did you mention at what cost it came?"
"Let me tell you all some facts about the reality of colonial rule in Bharat. In fact, the British colonizers had very systematically drained Bharat's wealth. The high taxation and the forced cultivation of cash crops which you imposed on the people forcefully led to widespread poverty and frequent famines across the country. Also, your so-called economic policies were designed to benefit Britain at the expense of Bharat's economy."
"Traditional Bharatiya industries, such as textiles, were devastated by British policies. As if it wasn't enough, the influx of cheap British goods led to the decline of local craftsmanship and industries which further pushed the people into poverty."
"Your rule also saw some of the worst famines in Bharat's history, which resulted in millions of deaths. These famines were exacerbated by British policies that prioritized the export of food grains, especially during the ongoing war. Infact, if we had not pushed the British back and obtained immediate independence a much devastating famine was starting to take effect in Bengal."
"And don't make me start on the policies you made. Those policies often disrupted traditional social structures and cultural practices.Also, the introduction of Western education and legal systems undermined local traditions and knowledge systems."
"We were largely excluded from high-ranking positions in our own country. The British maintained control over key political and economic decisions, leaving Bharatiyas with little power to influence their own governance."
"While the British did build infrastructure such as railways, these were primarily designed to extract resources and facilitate British economic interests, rather than to develop the Bharatiya economy."
"The so-called 'development' brought by British rule often came at a significant cost to Bharat's economic, social, and cultural fabric. The narrative that India would have remained in the Middle Ages without British intervention overlooks the rich and advanced civilizations that existed in Bharat long before British colonization and also, any known civilization in the world."
After Aryan's powerful entrance and facts about the British being presented by him, the room fell silent once again.
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