A New India
Chapter 201 - 201: London Conference - I

With the battle of narrative ending and every country finding itself drawn to a battle of East vs West.

Finally the day came when 22 countries were invited with world leader pouring into London.

Nasser orignal thought was not to attend this conference but due to wide support from India he finally send his closest side Hassan to this meeting.

Each had come with an agenda, though for many, it was buried beneath layers of diplomacy.

The issue on the table was Egypt's control of the Suez Canal, a lifeline for oil and trade, and now the flashpoint for ideological battles that would stretch far beyond London.

As soon as everyone was seated, this meeting which aimed to stop a world crisis started.

The U.S. Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, began, his voice steady but forceful, "We're here because President Nasser has taken a reckless step. Nationalizing the canal isn't just a bold move; it's destabilizing an entire region. This isn't a question of Egyptian sovereignty but of international security and economic stability. The canal is an international waterway, not a national asset to be seized at will."

British Prime Minister Anthony Eden nodded in agreement. "Dulles is right. The canal is vital to the West, particularly to Britain and France. We have millions depending on its uninterrupted operation. Let's not pretend that Nasser's actions are anything but a power play, one aimed at rallying Arab nations under his leadership, using the canal as leverage."

Hearing this Hassan countered. "Prime Minister Edden, you frame our actions as reckless ambition, but I ask you, what was it when Britain stretched its empire across Africa and Asia? Was it not ambition to place your flag on every corner of the map? When the West builds empires, you call it progress. When Egypt asks for dignity, you call it dangerous."

Across the table, Rohan, Prime Minister of India, leaned forward.

He spoke calmly, but his words carried an edge. "Interesting how quickly 'sovereignty' becomes a matter of concern when it's someone else's sovereignty," he said, glancing pointedly at Eden and Dulles. "If we follow that logic, then shouldn't India have held on to control of our own resources rather than watching them exploited for decades?"

Eden's face tightened. "With all respect, Prime Minister Rohan, the situations aren't comparable. The canal is a crucial artery for the global economy. Its fate impacts not just Egypt, but all nations."

"And yet it's Egypt that owns it," Rohan replied. "This is about control, not the global economy. You're worried about influence slipping from your hands."

Hassan looked at Rohan and nodded. Because he was able to see this meeting was not about listening to Egyptian side.

Because they have been ignoring him since the start, the whole agenda of this meeting is to make Egypt the enemy of world.

The French Foreign Minister, Christian Pineau, broke in, his voice calm but authoritative. "Egypt can't just act unilaterally in a matter that affects countless nations. We built the canal. France and Britain managed its operation for decades. It was stable, efficient, reliable until now."

Hassan hearing this again spoke. "You speak of 'stability,' but what stability are we talking about? The kind that only benefits Britain and France? Look around this room. For years, this 'stability' meant Egypt was a tenant on its own land, paying rent for a canal dug by Egyptian labor. And now, when we reclaim it, you cry foul, as if we are the aggressors. But all we're doing is taking back what's ours."

The Soviet delegate, Andrei Gromyko, smirked slightly. "I agree with Hassan because it is interesting that stability, to some of you, means British and French control. But perhaps it's time for a new definition of stability one that allows for true independence."

Dulles turned to Gromyko, his tone sharpening. "And what would that stability look like, Mr. Gromyko? Soviet influence spreading under the guise of anti-colonialism? Egypt has reached out to Moscow for arms. What's next? Advisors, soldiers? A Red Sea presence?"

Hassan replied before Gromyko could say anything. "Mr. Dulles, you speak of Soviet influence, but this is about Egyptian influence. We didn't come to the USSR first. We came to you. We asked for fair terms, for respect. But it was the West that turned us away, forced our hand. So don't speak to us of dangerous alliances. You shut the door on Egypt's independence, and now you judge us for finding another door."

Gromyko didn't flinch answering the same question. "Soviet support for Egypt is support for a nation's right to self-determination, a principle we assumed the West championed. But the minute a nation threatens your interests, that principle is tossed aside. We're not here to colonize; we're here to support independence, something many nations in this room understand very well."

Prime Minister Rohan nodded. "Exactly. Egypt is asserting its right, and some of us find that admirable. We can't condemn them for refusing to bend to former colonial powers."

A delegate from Indonesia leaned forward, interjecting, "If the canal had been nationalized by a Western power, I doubt we'd even be here today. This isn't just about stability; it's about preserving influence in the Middle East, an influence that's slipping away."

Eden's patience thinned. "Indonesia's interests are not under immediate threat, but let me assure you, British interests are. This is an international matter, and we all need the canal secure. Nasser's ambitions could lead to a destabilized Arab world, or worse, a regional conflict. What happens when he turns to expand beyond Egypt?"

The Saudi delegate, Prince Faisal, spoke up. "Prime Minister Eden, perhaps Britain's view of stability is part of the problem. My country has watched foreign powers manipulate borders, divide peoples, and seize resources. Nasser is not perfect, but many in the Arab world see his actions as a stand against decades of exploitation. This is bigger than Egypt. It's about dignity."

Getting support for Saudi, Hassan also spoke. "If Nasser's words are a threat, it's because they mirror the frustration of every Arab and African nation that's tired of being told who to align with, tired of being seen as pawns in a Western game. Nasser's words aren't incitement; they're a mirror reflecting the realities of colonialism. And maybe that's what you fear most."

Rohan caught the nods from other Middle Eastern and Asian delegates. "The West holds up Nasser's writings, his call for 'zones of influence,' as evidence of his ambitions, but let's not ignore the hypocrisy. Look around this room. The same nations condemning Nasser once redrew maps and installed leaders as it suited them. If he's dangerous, he learned it from watching you."

Dulles shook his head. "This isn't just about rhetoric. This is about a man who's building a doctrine that threatens international order. He's willing to align with the Soviet Union, and if that happens, we'll be looking at a new Cold War battleground right in the Middle East."

Hassan raised his hand. "Mr. Dulles, you speak of threats, but you ignore the legitimacy of Egyptian sovereignty. We've been treated as tenants in our own country, with foreign powers dictating our fate. The canal belongs to Egypt, and its revenues should serve Egyptian interests. We are not beholden to past agreements made under duress."

The Iranian delegate, Hossein Fatemi, spoke next. "It's ironic that those who built empires now decry the ambitions of others. We're all aware that control over resources has always meant power. If the canal can help Egypt stand on its own, why shouldn't they use it?"