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Chapter:92 The World Watches
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The war had raged for weeks, and Pakistan's once-bold confidence had crumbled into desperation. Cities burned, supply lines vanished, and their military, though large on paper, could not withstand the veterans of India's World War II-trained army. The march of Indian forces was relentless—coasts severed, territories reclaimed, strategic points under Indian control, and the domino effect of rapid victories left Pakistan staggering.
In Islamabad, the government had no choice. Pride had been replaced by panic. The generals, once so certain, now sat silent, staring at the reports piling up in front of them. The army could not hold. The nation could not defend itself. There was only one remaining course of action.
A delegation was hastily assembled and sent to the United Nations Security Council, pleading for intervention. Pakistan demanded a ceasefire, citing "excessive force" and "aggression," hoping that international pressure would halt India's advance.
Across the oceans, in New York and London, diplomats and officials leaned forward as news of the war arrived. The Americans and British, powerful and influential, were watching with keen interest. Both had long histories of involvement in South Asian affairs, and both saw opportunities in Pakistan's desperation.
"This is our chance," a British diplomat murmured to his American counterpart. "If India oversteps, we can step in. Influence the resolution, shape the outcome."
The Americans nodded, calculating. "Yes. But India has momentum. They are not merely defending—they are dominating. Any interference must be measured. Overreach, and the world will see the West trying to control Asia again."
Meanwhile, India remained calm. The prince and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose observed the situation quietly, aware of the international gaze. They knew that every move Pakistan made now would provide leverage—not for Pakistan, but for India.
When Pakistan's delegation formally submitted its resolution request to the UN, it read like a desperate plea: "We call upon the Security Council to intervene, to halt hostilities, and enforce a ceasefire immediately."
India responded not with threats, but with facts:
Kashmir's accession to India had been legal and voluntary.
Pakistan had invaded sovereign territory.
India had exercised restraint for weeks.
The United Nations assembly was tense. Delegates whispered in corners, hurriedly passing notes, calculating positions. But the balance of power had shifted. The UN could not act without India's consent. Any resolution against India would risk global backlash, especially since India had acted within its legal rights and demonstrated overwhelming operational competence.
Behind the scenes, the Americans and British tried to influence Pakistan's plea, pushing for softer language to justify potential "intervention" later. But India had already anticipated this. The prince had instructed his networks to monitor every move—every diplomatic whisper, every attempt to sway opinion. India's legal and diplomatic responses were precise, firm, and impossible to counter without admitting Pakistan's aggression.
Finally, the Pakistani delegation signed what they hoped would be a lifeline: a treaty proposing cessation of hostilities, formal acknowledgment of UN mediation, and acceptance of any resolution the Security Council might deliver.
But India, with all its power, its legal legitimacy, and its military might, had the upper hand. The world's powers—American, British, and others—watched, frustrated that their opportunity to intervene had been rendered moot. India had forced the scenario: Pakistan had requested mediation, yet India dictated the terms.
From New Delhi, the prince leaned back in his chair, calm as ever. "They wanted the world to save them," he said quietly to Netaji. "Instead, they have given us the world's attention. The stage is ours."
Netaji smiled, a rare expression of approval. "And we shall perform with precision. Let history watch."
The war had not ended—not fully—but the momentum had shifted irreversibly. Pakistan's humiliation was complete, its hopes of reversal evaporating. The international community was now forced to acknowledge India's authority, military discipline, and political foresight.
In this delicate balance, the UN Council was drawn in—not as a master, but as a witness to India's rightful ascent. Pakistan, for the first time, realized that its desperate appeal had given India the moral and strategic leverage it needed.
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