A New India
Chapter 225 - 225: Incoming Leaders - III

Most of the major power leaders were already present and only few were left.

The arrivals of the Israeli Prime Minister, the Egyptian President, and finally the British Prime Minister were meticulously planned, each representing a critical stakeholder in the ongoing crisis.

By now, the security personnel and ceremonial guards were working like a well-oiled machine, their movements precise and coordinated.

Yet, the tension among the Indian officials was palpable, especially as the UK's arrival came closer.

Because even though the ceasefire has been called it still cannot change the feeling of war against United Kingdom.

The first of the three to land was the Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion.

His visit came with its own set of sensitivities, given Israel's aggressive involvement in the Suez Crisis and its alliances with Britain and France.

The Israeli aircraft approached the tarmac smoothly, its engines humming as it taxied to a halt.

The Israeli flag fluttered on its fuselage, a stark reminder of the country's controversial role in the conflict.

Prime Minister Rohan stood at the receiving line, flanked by senior ministers and Chief of Protocol Ramesh.

The Indian Air Force band began playing Hatikvah, Israel's national anthem, as the aircraft door opened.

"Stay composed," Rohan murmured to Rao as the Israeli delegation began descending the stairs. "This is about diplomacy, not judgment."

Ben-Gurion emerged, his stature smaller than expected but his presence commanding.

He scanned the reception below, his sharp eyes assessing the setup before descending.

As he reached the tarmac, Rohan stepped forward, extending his hand.

"Prime Minister Ben-Gurion, welcome to India," Rohan said, his tone formal but polite.

Ben-Gurion shook his hand firmly. "Thank you, Prime Minister. It is an honor to be here."

The two exchanged brief pleasantries before moving toward the ceremonial guards.

The soldiers presented arms with precision, and Ben-Gurion returned the gesture with a slight nod.

After the Indian national anthem played, Rohan escorted the Israeli Prime Minister to the waiting convoy.

Their conversation remained cordial but cautious.

"It is my hope that this conference will pave the way for stability," Ben-Gurion said as they walked.

"That is our intent," Rohan replied. "But stability requires compromise from all sides."

The convoy departed for Rashtrapati Bhavan, where Ben-Gurion was received with the same formalities as the other leaders.

Inside the grand halls, Rohan and Ben-Gurion exchanged a few more polite words before the Israeli delegation was shown to their quarters.

Less than an hour later, the Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser arrived.

His plane, modest compared to the others, bore the Egyptian flag on its tail.

The Indian Air Force band transitioned seamlessly to Bilady, Bilady, Bilady, Egypt's national anthem, as the aircraft came to a halt.

Nasser emerged, his tall figure and confident stride reflecting the defiance that had made him a symbol of resistance against imperialism.

Rohan stepped forward to greet him, his handshake firm.

"President Nasser, welcome," Rohan said warmly. "It is an honor to host you in Delhi."

Nasser smiled, his eyes softening as he replied, "Thank you, Prime Minister. India's leadership in this crisis has been an inspiration."

The ceremonial guards presented arms once more, their movements precise as the band played India's national anthem.

Nasser's gaze lingered on the soldiers, his admiration clear. "Your traditions are remarkable," he said quietly.

"We take pride in them," Rohan replied. "Just as you take pride in defending your sovereignty."

As the two leaders moved toward the convoy, their conversation touched briefly on the conference's goals. "This meeting is a critical moment for us," Nasser said. "We must ensure that the voices of smaller nations are heard."

"You'll find India firmly in agreement," Rohan replied. "This is why we called this conference to create a platform for those who refuse to be overshadowed."

Upon their arrival at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Nasser was greeted with full honors.

Finally, it was time for the British Prime Minister Anthony Eden to arrive.

His role in the Suez Crisis had made his presence at the conference contentious.

Prime Minister Rohan, wanting to show his anger and distance from the UK's actions during the war, made a deliberate decision not to personally receive Eden.

Instead, Foreign Minister K.P. Singh was sent to lead the protocol.

Singh, a seasoned diplomat, stood at the reception line with the same precision and respect as Rohan had shown for the other leaders.

The British aircraft approached the tarmac, its engines rumbling as it came to a stop.

The band began playing God Save the Queen, and the ceremonial guards stood at attention.

Eden emerged, his posture tense but composed.

He descended the stairs slowly, his eyes scanning the scene below. Singh stepped forward, his hand extended. "Prime Minister Eden, welcome to India."

Eden shook Singh's hand, his smile polite but guarded. "Thank you, Minister. I appreciate your reception."

Singh nodded. "We hope your time here will be productive, Prime Minister. The world has high expectations for this conference."

The ceremonial proceedings continued with the same level of formality.

The guards presented arms, and the Indian national anthem was played.

Eden acknowledged the soldiers with a brief nod before following Singh to the waiting convoy.

As they moved toward Rashtrapati Bhavan, Singh maintained a professional tone. "The conference represents an opportunity for dialogue, Prime Minister. We trust all parties will approach it with an open mind."

Eden's expression tightened slightly. "Dialogue is certainly needed, though the circumstances remain challenging."

Singh didn't respond immediately, letting the silence linger before adding, "The challenges are why we must find solutions. This is a moment for leadership, not division."

The convoy arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan under the watchful eyes of security personnel.

Eden was greeted by Rohan with the same formalities, though the reception lacked the warmth seen earlier in the day.

After the ceremonial exchange, Singh accompanied Eden inside, where brief introductions were made before the British delegation was escorted to their resting place.

At the end of the day, Rashtrapati Bhavan was a full of the world's political leaders.

Delegations from countries that had recently been at war now found themselves under the same roof, preparing for what would undoubtedly be some of the most challenging negotiations in modern history.

Prime Minister Rohan, back in his office, allowed himself a moment of rest.

The receptions had been successful, but the real work lay ahead.

To make sure all the leaders agree to one solution is the toughest work.