A New India

The wooden table in Prime Minister Rohan's office looked as if it had just survived a battle papers spread in every direction.

Telegrams stacked like haphazard Jenga towers, and a cup of Darjeeling tea threatening to tip over the latest Ministry of External Affairs memo.

The air carried a mix of ink, paper, and the distinct aroma of stress.

Dr. Homi Bhabha peered over his glasses at a large folder labeled CONFIDENTIAL.

Finance Minister Harish Mehta sat across from him, stirring his tea absentmindedly.

Foreign Minister K.P. Singh with a big smile plastered over his face as if he has won a great victory tapped a thick file against the table and leaned forward.

"It's official," Singh announced, his voice full of excitement but tinged with fatigue and urgency.

"You leave for Washington in ten days."

Rohan arched an eyebrow. "I thought this was a quiet meeting with Bell Labs. This… looks more like a parade."

Singh already bright smile became even more brighter. "It was supposed to be a quiet meeting and I intended to keep it that way but feedbacks from people below me changed my perception. Bell Labs won't take us seriously unless they see that India isn't just another buyer we're a future powerhouse. So in order to this work adjusted the approach."

Harish set his cup down with an audible clink. "Wait. Are you telling me you managed to get Prime Minister a meeting with the U.S. President in days?"

Singh replied in a dry tone.

"Have some trust on my Capabilities Harish."

While giving Harish dangerous side eye he continued speaking to Rohan

"A courtesy meeting, yes. But more than that you'll meet key congressmen, business leaders, and finally, Bell Labs executives in New York."

Bhabha exhaled sharply. "That's not exactly subtle."

"It's not supposed to be," Singh admitted. "We need to show the Americans that we're not just here for handouts. We're players in the next technological revolution."

Rohan leaned back, smirking. "So instead of sneaking up to Bell Labs' back door, we're marching through the front gates of the White House first?"

"Exactly," Singh said. "And once we're in the room, they'll have no choice but to listen."

Harish rubbed his temples. "This is happening too fast."

Singh shrugged. "That's how the world moves. We either keep up, or we get left behind."

Bhabha nodded. "Agreed. But we need a strong case. Bell Labs won't just give us their secrets because we smile politely."

Rohan leaned forward, the strategist in him waking up. "And that's exactly why we're going to convince them."

Silence settled over the room before Harish finally spoke.

"Alright, let's say everything goes as planned. You meet with Bell Labs what's our actual pitch?"

Rohan turned to Bhabha. "Homi, what do we need?"

Bhabha sighed, rubbing his chin. "We need three things, Technical guidance to establish India's first semiconductor fabrication unit. Consultation on setting up clean rooms, etching machines, and high-purity material sourcing. Training for Indian engineers not their best knowledge, but enough to get us started."

Harish nodded. "And why would they agree?"

Rohan didn't hesitate. "Because India is their next big market."

Harish scoffed. "We barely manufacture radios."

"Yet," Rohan corrected. "But give it ten years. Radios, telephones, defense systems, future computers all of it will depend on semiconductors. If Bell Labs partners with us now, they secure a stronghold in a billion-strong market."

Singh smirked. "Now that's a pitch they'll listen to."

Bhabha remained skeptical. "They'll worry about technology leakage. The U.S. won't want their semiconductor knowledge reaching Soviet hands. If they think we'll share their know-how, they'll shut us out."

"Which is why we assure them of neutrality," Rohan said. "We aren't choosing sides in the Cold War. We're choosing India's technological sovereignty."

Singh leaned back. "That's a delicate balancing act."

"We've done it before," Rohan said. "And we'll do it again."

Harish sighed. "Fine. But let's talk about the real problem money. Let's say Bell Labs agrees. How do we fund this? Semiconductor fabs are not cheap."

Rohan met his gaze. "We fund it like we fund our steel plants and dams through government investment, foreign partnerships, and private enterprises."

Bhabha raised an eyebrow. "Private players? You're bringing them in this early?"

"We won't survive without them," Rohan admitted. "The government will spearhead the effort, but we need Indian businesses to step up. If Bell Labs gives us credibility, we use that to bring in investors."

Singh nodded. "It's a strong case. But Bell Labs won't agree on goodwill alone. They'll need an incentive."

Harish crossed his arms. "What incentive do we offer?"

Rohan smirked. "We give them priority access to the Indian market. When our semiconductor industry matures, Bell Labs gets first-mover advantage."

Bhabha whistled. "That's bold."

"It has to be," Rohan said. "If we play it safe, they won't even consider us."

Singh tapped the itinerary. "Then we move forward. The schedule is locked in. You leave in ten days."

Rohan stood up, scanning the room. "Then let's get ready."

As the meeting wrapped up, Bhabha lingered behind while Singh and Harish left.

He leaned against the desk, arms crossed.

"Homi?" Rohan asked.

Bhabha exhaled. "I was just thinking. We're always talking about the Americans as if they're the big players here."

Rohan raised an eyebrow. "Aren't they?"

Bhabha smiled. "For now. But ten years from now, when they look back, I want them to realize that they weren't just meeting with another buyer. They were shaking hands with their future competitor."

Rohan grinned. "And we'll make sure they remember it."

Bhabha chuckled. "Just don't let them charm you too much. The Americans love giving speeches about democracy, but when it comes to business, they're as cutthroat as anyone."

Rohan smirked. "Then it's a good thing we're fast learners."

As he left, Rohan glanced at the documents on his desk.

He has too many things to prepare before going to USA.

Rohan called Neeraj and told him to get Rao to this office.