A New India
Chapter 138 - 138: Rao Briefs Rohan

Rohan was hoping for a few moments of peace before heading home, maybe just to sit in silence and let his mind wander.

But that hope was shattered the moment K.N. Rao, the chief of R&AW, entered his office unannounced.

"Rao," Rohan said, surprised by the man's sudden appearance.

Rao wasn't the type to show up without an appointment.

The look on his face tense immediately told Rohan this wasn't a routine briefing.

"Prime Minister," Rao said, not even bothering with pleasantries.

He held a thick file in his hand, his grip tight as though the paper itself could slip away at any moment.

Rohan frowned, sitting up straighter in his chair. "What's going on? You look like someone just walked over your grave."

Rao didn't sit. He remained standing, his eyes locked on Rohan's. "It's bad, sir. Pakistan… they're working on something, something bigger than we anticipated."

Rohan's stomach tightened. He'd had a bad feeling for days, a sense that something was brewing across the border.

But this?

This felt different.

"What is it?"

Rao took a breath before speaking, like he needed to steady himself before delivering the blow.

"Pakistan is preparing for a nuclear program."

There was a long, heavy pause.

Rohan blinked, the words hanging in the air like a sharp slap.

His first instinct was disbelief. Nuclear? Pakistan?

"What do you mean, nuclear?" Rohan finally asked, his voice low but edged with shock. "They don't have the resources. They're not capable of—"

"They don't have the capability alone," Rao cut in, his tone firm but urgent.

"But they're not alone in this. We've just received intelligence from one of our contacts, Captain Alfaz Shaheed, and it's all there. Pakistan is gathering resources, uranium, equipment and they've got foreign backing. We don't know exactly who yet, but we're looking at a major player"

Rohan was still, trying to process the information that Rao was throwing at him.

His hands gripped the arms of his chair tightly.

"Foreign backing… nuclear weapons… Rao, this can't be right."

"It's right," Rao replied, his eyes serious. "They're not ready yet, but they're making preparations. They've got people working on it, foreign scientists, foreign money. And they're using the Chagai Hills as the base. Our best estimate? They're at least a year away from conducting a test.

But if they're successful…"

Rohan stood up abruptly, unable to remain seated any longer.

He paced behind his desk, his hands running through his hair.

"A year? Rao, are you hearing yourself? In a year, they could have nuclear weapons. That changes everything—everything."

Rao nodded, his voice calm but unrelenting. "Yes, sir. That's exactly what I'm saying. If Pakistan succeeds, we'll be dealing with a nuclear-armed state right next door. And with their internal instability, who knows what they'll do with that power? This isn't just about India anymore, this is about regional and global security."

Rohan stopped pacing and stared at Rao, his heart pounding in his chest.

"How long have we known about this?"

"Not long. Alfaz has been gathering information quietly for weeks, maybe months. He bribed people, tortured some, even killed a few just to get close enough. It took him time, but the pieces fell together. He barely escaped Pakistan after sending the final report."

Rohan shook his head, still reeling. "And you're sure? There's no mistake here? We're talking about nuclear weapons."

"I wish I were wrong, Prime Minister. But this is real. Pakistan is putting together everything they need. They're not there yet, but they're moving fast."

Rohan fell back into his chair, rubbing his temples

"Nuclear weapons… foreign help… We can't let this happen, Rao. Do you understand what this will mean for us? For the entire subcontinent? We're already at each other's throats. Add nuclear weapons to the mix, and we'll be staring at war. A war no one can survive."

"I understand, sir," Rao said, his tone measured.

"But we're not at war yet. We still have time. They're not ready. They're preparing, but they need more time to gather the resources and technology. If we act now, we can slow them down. Maybe even stop them altogether."

Rohan looked up at him, his face tense. "How? How do we stop this without sparking the very war we're trying to avoid?"

Rao leaned forward slightly.

"There are options. We can sabotage their supply lines, disrupt their access to materials. We know where they're working out of, and we can make things very difficult for them without ever firing a shot. If we do it right, they'll be forced to delay the project, maybe even scrap it if it becomes too costly."

Rohan frowned, shaking his head. "And what if that's not enough? What if they still manage to push through? You know as well as I do that when a country sets its sights on nuclear weapons, they don't stop easily."

Rao hesitated. He didn't want to say it, but he knew it needed to be on the table.

"If sabotage doesn't work… we may have to consider more direct action."

Rohan's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping. "Direct action? You mean strikes?"

"If it comes to that, yes," Rao said quietly.

"If they're on the verge of completing the project, we may have no choice. A limited strike to destroy their nuclear infrastructure before it's operational. It's a last resort, but we have to be prepared."

Rohan stood up again, this time walking to the window.

He stared out at the city below, the people going about their lives, blissfully unaware of the threat rising around them.

Direct action meant war, there was no doubt about that.

But sitting back and waiting for Pakistan to become a nuclear-armed state?

That was equally unthinkable.

"How did it come to this?" Rohan muttered under his breath.

"We've barely had a chance to rebuild after independence, and now we're on the verge of a nuclear crisis."

Rao remained silent, knowing there were no easy answers.

He had seen this day coming, in some form or another, but that didn't make it any easier to confront.

Rohan turned back to him, his eyes hard with resolve.

"We'll start with sabotage. Quietly. We'll slow them down, frustrate their efforts. But Rao, if that doesn't work, and they're still pushing forward, then we act. No hesitation. We stop them before they can ever conduct a test.

I'm not letting Pakistan hold this over us. Not on my watch."

Rao nodded firmly. "Understood, Prime Minister. I'll get our people in place. We'll make sure they feel the pressure."

Rohan sighed deeply

"This can't get out, Rao. The public can't know about this. Not yet. If word spreads, we'll have a panic on our hands, and Pakistan will just accelerate their plans. Keep it locked down."

"I'll handle it," Rao assured him.

"Only the most trusted people will know. We'll be ready."

Rohan gave a small nod

Pakistan, nuclear weapons, foreign involvement, it was all spiraling out of control

As Rao stood to leave, Rohan called out softly, "Rao…"

The intelligence chief turned back, waiting.

"Make sure we don't wait too long," Rohan said,

"If this starts, it won't stop. And we can't afford to be caught off guard."

Rao's expression was grave. "I won't let that happen, sir."

With that, Rao left the room, and Rohan stood alone

There was no going back now. The clock was ticking.

And it was up to him to keep it from running out.