A New India
Chapter 199 - 199: The Sand of Times are Shifting

Hassan El Sayed stepped off the plane onto Egyptian soil.

Exhausted after travelling since the last 2 days from Egypt to India to Egypt to India.

Finally this deal was nearing its end, as he held the revised deal in his hand which now added a new point of deployment of Indian Army Battalion for training of Egyptian military.

President Nasser had expected India to back Egypt, but the level of commitment Prime Minister Rohan had shown went beyond anything they had dared imagine.

Upon his arrival at the presidential palace, Hassan was immediately escorted into the main conference room.

President Gamal Abdel Nasser awaited him, his advisors and generals gathered around, each man's expression full of curiosity and caution.

They knew that Hassan's trip to Delhi held the key to Egypt's next move against British and French pressure over the Suez Canal.

Nasser looked up as Hassan entered, his gaze intense. "Welcome back, Hassan. I trust the mission was… enlightening?"

Hassan gave a slight nod. "Mr. President, gentlemen, India has agreed to our terms. They are prepared to provide us with all the necessary support: artillery, anti-aircraft systems, armored vehicles. And, in addition, they've offered us something… unprecedented."

Nasser raised an eyebrow, "Go on."

Hassan took a deep breath. "Prime Minister Rohan has proposed sending an entire battalion of Indian troops to train with our forces. Not as combatants, but as trainers and advisors. They would help our men become proficient with the equipment, and share tactics that have proven effective against Western militaries."

The room fell silent as each man thought about the offer.

Though they had considered this a possibility, hearing it confirmed makes them more concerned.

General Mustafa Abdel Fattah, was the first to speak.

"A battalion of Indian troops…" He shook his head, a slight smile on his lips. "It's bold. India, a newly nuclear power, standing openly beside Egypt. This will send a message the West cannot ignore."

Nasser nodded, his expression unreadable. "Indeed. But Hassan, tell me honestly do you believe this is purely a gesture of solidarity? Or does India have other intentions. Because when we talked about it before we thought they will directly send troops in war not training troops"

Hassan hesitated before answering, choosing his words carefully. "Mr. President, I got the sense that India sees our struggle as their own, yes. But it's clear they also see an opportunity. Standing against Britain and France on Egyptian soil allows them to make a statement without appearing overtly aggressive… yet."

Mahmoud Azmy, Egypt's finance minister, leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "Are we implying that India might… escalate their involvement if it suits them? Perhaps even find a reason to enter the war, should it come to that?"

Nasser's gaze sharpened, a new understanding coming to his mind "It's possible. A confrontation with Britain and France would allow India to demonstrate its newfound strength. And what better way to do that than by standing with a fellow post-colonial nation?"

General Fattah nodded, his voice cautious. "If India does intend to provoke Britain and France, we must be prepared for the consequences. They're offering us support, yes, but their motivations could shift quickly if conflict escalates."

Mahmoud raised a hand. "Gentlemen, let's remember this alliance, if not handled carefully, could drag Egypt into something far larger than our own struggle for the Suez Canal. We must weigh the benefits of Indian support against the risks of being seen as a pawn in their broader strategy."

Nasser looked at each man, his face thoughtful. "We've always known that defending the canal would be a statement, a warning to colonial powers that we won't be controlled. If India stands with us, the statement grows louder, but it also raises the stakes."

Hassan interjected, "Mr. President, with all due respect, India has shown a level of commitment to us that no other nation has. They understand what's at stake. And if it's true that they have their own ambitions… well, perhaps we can use that to our advantage."

"How so?" Nasser asked, intrigued.

"By accepting their help, we position ourselves as a focal point of the anti-colonial movement. If India seeks to oppose Britain and France, they'll need to ensure that Egypt remains strong, even beyond the canal crisis. That could mean long-term support, not just military but economic as well."

Mahmoud nodded, seeing the logic. "So you're suggesting that we let India take the lead if they choose to provoke Britain and France, while we maintain a stance of self-defense. This way, if war breaks out, we aren't the aggressors. Egypt is merely defending its territory, with the 'advisory' support of India."

Nasser sat back, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "It's a clever approach. We accept India's aid, strengthen our forces, and prepare for any eventuality. And if war does break out, we play the role of the oppressed defending its sovereignty, while India carries the burden of provocation."

General Mustafa Abdel Fattah adjusted his glasses, looking around the room before speaking in a serious, measured tone.

"Mr. President, gentlemen," he began, "we must confront the reality of our military situation before we make any decisions. While our troops are dedicated and our resolve is strong, our capabilities are not on par with those of the British and French forces."

He glanced at Nasser and the others, seeing their reactions. "The British Army, as of this year, fields around 450,000 active soldiers, and their Navy is one of the largest in the world. Their aircraft carriers and destroyers alone outnumber our entire naval fleet. They have tactical air support with Hawker Hunters and de Havilland Vampires that can outmaneuver and outgun most of what we can put in the air. They've recently completed exercises in Jordan and Cyprus, where they practiced amphibious landings and rapid deployment, precisely the tactics they could employ if they chose to intervene here."

He paused, letting the grim picture settle. "France, meanwhile, brings its own advantages. They have nearly 500,000 active personnel, not to mention extensive experience in colonial warfare from Algeria and Indochina. They field aircraft like the Dassault Ouragan and F-84 Thunderjet, which are fast, heavily armed, and well-suited for air-to-ground operations. They also have naval strength in the Mediterranean that could easily blockade our ports."

Fattah shifted, his face hardening. "In contrast, our army lacks modern equipment. We have around 100,000 active soldiers, but they're mostly trained for defensive maneuvers. Our air force is under-equipped; we have fewer than 100 combat-ready planes, many of which are outdated compared to the jets they field. Our artillery lacks range and precision, and we don't have an effective anti-aircraft system to defend Cairo or Alexandria if they launch air raids."

He looked directly at Nasser. "If we go up against them alone, sir, the odds are heavily stacked against us. Without a modern fighting force and proper training, we'll be outclassed in almost every category. That's why this alliance with India is crucial. Their weapons, their advisors, they won't close the gap completely, but they'll make us a force to be reckoned with. However, we must be realistic about what we're up against."

The room fell silent again.

Finally, Nasser spoke, his voice measured but resolute.

"Then we must proceed with caution. We'll accept India's offer, but on our own terms. Egypt will not be a pawn. If India wishes to assert itself on the world stage, they will do so as our ally, not our master."

Mahmoud added, "And we must be clear with India, any escalation will be handled delicately. We can't afford to be seen as instigating a broader conflict."

Hassan nodded, understanding the subtle strategy Nasser was laying out. "Prime Minister Rohan understands respect and partnership, Mr. President. I believe he will listen to our concerns. But we must still be prepared. Once the world sees Indian soldiers on Egyptian soil, they will know we aren't alone."

Nasser took a deep breath, looking at each of his advisors. "Very well. We move forward. Hassan, return to Delhi. Inform Prime Minister Rohan that we accept his offer for the defense deal, along with the training proposal. But make it clear, Egypt's sovereignty comes first. We are not puppets."

Hassan gave a solemn nod. "I understand, Mr. President. I will make sure our position is understood."

The meeting adjourned with everyone still thinking about the future.

Hassan prepared himself mentally for the return journey to India, knowing the discussions ahead would be delicate.

Egypt needed India, but they could not afford to lose their autonomy in the process.

As he left the palace, Hassan couldn't shake the feeling that the course of history was shifting beneath them, like sand reshaping itself in the wind.

The Suez Canal was just the beginning. If India truly entered in this, it would signal to the world that the age of Western dominance was ending.

And Egypt, with India at its side, would be standing at the forefront of that new order.