A New India
Chapter 168 - 168: The World Calls for Peace

The grandeur of the conference room in Geneva seemed almost absurd, considering the covert bloodshed that had brought everyone here.

The walls, sleek and polished, were a stark contrast to the bloody reality of the intelligence war between India and Pakistan.

Both nations had been dragged into this meeting by the major global powers, the United States, United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union, none of whom wanted another conflict in the region.

The Cold War was already stretching the world's patience.

More and more chaos was brewing across the world, from middle East to USA's own backyard.

In such time they didn't need South Asia to become another battleground.

Prime Minister Rohan sat at one end of the table, with K.N. Rao by his side.

Both men were silent, their expressions unreadable.

They had fought tooth and nail to cripple Pakistan's ISI operations, and they had succeeded in ways the rest of the world would never fully understand.

The world now knows the capability and patience of India, the message is out there in open.

But today wasn't about crowing over their victories, it was about stepping back, at least for now.

Across the table sat the Pakistani Prime Minister, his face tight, flanked by Colonel Qasim, the newly installed head of ISI.

Tensions were high, but there was an air of inevitability about this meeting.

Everyone knew that the covert battles had pushed both countries to the edge.

The world powers weren't here to pass judgment, they were here to keep the situation from spiraling out of control.

James McAllister, the American Ambassador to India, was the first to speak, breaking the silence with his polished diplomatic tone. "Gentlemen, we all understand the severity of what's been happening over the last few months. The world has been watching closely, and frankly, no one wants to see this escalate further."

Rohan remained quiet, his fingers laced together on the table.

He had already agreed to be here, which was enough for now.

McAllister's words were the usual diplomatic niceties, but the message was clear: Washington wanted both countries to stand down.

Next to speak was the British representative, a grizzled man with deep lines etched into his face from years of witnessing crises like this. "The intelligence war between your two nations has been costly. We understand there have been losses on both sides. But this cannot continue. If it does, the consequences could be catastrophic."

Rohan shifted in his seat but kept his face neutral.

Rao, sitting beside him, was stone-faced, watching the Pakistani side carefully.

Everyone knew this was just a diplomatic exercise.

No one in the room would ever admit what had really been going on in Chagai Hills or in the shadowy corners of the Hindu Kush.

But Rohan knew one thing: India had the upper hand. They had struck deep into Pakistan's ambitions, and ISI was reeling from the damage.

Finally, the Pakistani Prime Minister spoke, his voice steady but his words sharp. "Pakistan has only acted to protect its sovereignty. Our intelligence operations have always been defensive, in response to India's provocations."

Rohan's gaze darkened, but he kept his tone calm. "Provocations? Your nuclear facility at Chagai Hills wasn't defensive, it was an open threat. We've set your program back by years, and you know it. India acted in defense of our people."

The air in the room tightened as the Pakistani side shifted uncomfortably.

Colonel Qasim, the head of ISI, remained silent, his eyes cold as they flicked between Rohan and Rao.

They both knew what had happened over the last few months.

Pakistan's covert operations had been dismantled one by one.

Farhan Ali was dead.

Tariq was gone.

Their nuclear ambitions lay in ruins.

But, here in Geneva, no one could admit it.

The Soviet diplomat, a heavyset man with a booming voice, cut through the tension. "The Soviet Union does not want to see South Asia become a flashpoint for conflict. The Cold War already has enough fronts. Moscow insists that both nations take steps to de-escalate. This intelligence war cannot continue."

McAllister nodded in agreement, turning toward Rohan. "Washington shares that view. Prime Minister, we need assurances that India will pull back its forces from the border and cease further covert operations."

Rohan remained silent for a moment, thinking through his response.

He knew they had to give something today, even though they had already won.

Rao had crippled Pakistan's intelligence network.

ISI was broken.

But diplomacy had its own rules, and it wasn't always about what had been achieved. It was about what you could sell to the world.

"India will agree to a phased withdrawal," Rohan said, his voice measured. "But let's not pretend this is a concession. Pakistan's ambitions have been checked. We've defended our nation. We will continue to do so if necessary."

The Pakistani Prime Minister nodded, but his expression remained tight. "Pakistan will also withdraw, but any further actions from India, and we will respond."

The room fell into a tense silence. The diplomats from the UK, the USSR, and the US all exchanged quick glances.

This was as much of a resolution as they were going to get.

The British representative leaned forward slightly, trying to close the discussion. "The world powers will monitor this situation closely. Both sides have agreed to withdraw their forces, and that's a good first step. But we need further assurances that covert operations will cease."

Rao's eyes flicked up at the Pakistani delegation, and for a moment, he considered saying something.

But instead, he remained silent. His job wasn't to placate diplomats, it was to keep India safe.

And that meant always staying a step ahead of ISI, regardless of what was said in Geneva.

As the meeting wrapped up, the formalities began.

Handshakes were exchanged, though they felt hollow.

Everyone knew this wasn't peace, this was a pause.

A necessary one, but temporary all the same.

Outside the conference room, Rohan and Rao stepped into the cold Geneva air, a thin layer of fog hanging over the streets.

Rao lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly as they walked toward the waiting car.

"We gave them just enough," Rohan said quietly.

Rao nodded, flicking ash from his cigarette. "Enough to keep the diplomats happy. But they know we're not going to stop. Neither will Pakistan."

Rohan glanced over at him, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Still, we've broken ISI. Their network is in ruins. Farhan, Tariq, the nuclear program, it's all gone. They'll need years to recover."

"True," Rao agreed, his tone steady. "But we'll need to keep our guard up. ISI will regroup. They always do."

Rohan looked out at the quiet streets of Geneva, his thoughts drifting back to the countless lives lost in the shadows.

The victories in the covert war didn't come with parades or public recognition.

They came with blood, sacrifice, and scars that would never heal.

"Let's get back to Delhi," Rohan said finally. "There's still work to be done."

Later that night, back in New Delhi, Rohan and Rao sat in the quiet of Rao's office.

The chaos of the last few months was behind them, at least for now.

The world had demanded peace, and they had given it, on paper, at least.

Rao poured two glasses of whisky, setting one in front of Rohan. "To a job well done," he said, raising his glass.

Rohan chuckled softly, taking the glass and swirling the liquid inside. "We've earned this."

They drank in silence for a few moments, they have won yet victory is never easy, there are sacrifices you make.

Good people, capable people died yet they knew it was necessary for the safety of this country is always more important.

The covert operations had been brutal,many lives had been lost on both sides, and the toll it had taken on R&AW was still evident.

But for the first time in months, there was a brief window of calm.

"You think we'll ever really stop fighting in the shadows?" Rohan asked, his voice quieter now, the whisky loosening his words.

Rao shook his head, a small smile on his lips. "No. The shadow war never really ends. But for now, we've earned ourselves a little peace."

Rohan raised his glass in a quiet toast. "To peace, then. For now."

The two men drank, the room quiet except for the distant hum of the city outside.

They knew that the victory they had won would never be celebrated with parades or headlines.

It was a quiet, brutal victory fought in the shadows, but it was theirs.

As they sat there, they allowed themselves a moment of relief. They had won, for now.

And as they clinked their glasses together, there was a shared understanding that the war in the shadows would continue, but tonight, at least, they could celebrate the victories they had fought so hard to achieve.

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End of Volume 3.

End of Year 1953.

New Volume with 1954 will start another phase on new development in India.

The world at the same time will go through great turbulence but India is not weak.