Victoria-Kingdom of India Diplomacy

[Sabriel]

Victorian diplomats reached out to the Kingdom of India, requesting a formal meeting in Dar es Salaam.

[Markus Wilding]

Indian Foreign Minister Sumit Roychaudhuri accepted the offer, heading to Dar es Salaam at once, after avoiding the warzone in the Arabian Sea.

[Sabriel]

Foreign Minister Grace al Ragogi met Minister Roychaudhuri after he had been escorted to the Royal Towers. He was greeted with all the pomp and ceremony his position entitled him to, and was given Victorian tea.

Grace sat across a table from the man and glanced down at an open folder before her.

"Well, it seems that King Karamchand has taken the exercises in the Arabian Sea in a bit of a different direction than exercises usually go. That is... Concerning to us, as your neighbours on the Indian Ocean.

"We are, of course, interested in how you intend to conclude this war. And what you intend to do with the territories you take. If you would be so kind as to enlighten us, Victoria would be very much obliged."

[Markus Wilding]

Foreign Minister Roychaudhuri smirked, nodding as he took the tea in his hands. "Fist of all, King Karamchand would like to extend his extreme sorrow that he was not able to attend your Queen's wedding last year. Our Queen's sickness and death did indeed take a monumental toll on our monarch's mood."

He took a very long sip of tea, smiling as it filled his belly. "As far as the exercises, the Communist navy interrupted our exercises before we could recall our fleet. It was not our intention to begin a war with the Communist navy in the Arabian Sea, if it were to be my King's will, there would be no war at all. As King of India, it is the sacred duty of our military to enforce the King's rightful claims to the throne, and the squatters and brigands that occupy the Indian subcontinent and pretend to be saving their people under the guise of misguided, dangerous socialism and corrupt kleptocratic democracy shant be tolerated any longer. So, that is your answer - the King will integrate these lands, which are rightfully his by way of crown and bloodline, into his Kingdom and save our oppressed brethren from dangerous, unstable governments."

[Sabriel]

"It seems to me that, perhaps, your naval leadership should have expected some sort of action on the seas after you crossed the communists' borders, yes?"

[Markus Wilding]

"We cannot predict the weather. Our radar did see the enemy navy moving out, but we could not intercept, and heavy storms interrupted communications with our fleet for three days. Those three days have shown to be rather crucial, I believe. But I do not think we are here to sip tea and discuss possibilities and wonder what could or should have been done?"

[Sabriel]

"No. We're here so that I can determine if I should advise Queen Catharine on whether to support your war. It would be best for us all if you could defeat the communists quickly. And if you were benificent in incorporating their lands into your nation.

"Toward that end, we would like to offer the services of House Kazakh, the War Brides, in ensuring that your military is never at risk of running out of supplies. And the services of House Victoria in rebuilding the affected territories once fighting has concluded."

[Markus Wilding]

"The King's loyal subjects are grateful for this offer. But, we would like something else as well. Your American allies are shipping weapons to the Communists. If you can... shall we say, persuade them that doing such would negatively impact the future of our relations, or impress upon them that doing so is a very poor idea, we would be even more grateful. Understandably, we in Visakhapatnam would not prefer to see an American naval group floating outside of the Indian Ocean, and we do not believe Victoria would be preferential to this either."

[Sabriel]

A voice came from the door behind the Indian, "Communists send weapons to one another, and water is wet. That's just how shit is." Catharine stood in the doorway, her wings spreading to block the minister's view of the hall outside.

Minister Ramogi stood and saluted to the Queen, who stepped further into the room.

"If the Americans want to support a losing cause, they can do so. They won't drop a naval group into the fight once we place our marker. So. You get weapons, you get assistance in rebuilding. And we don't talk about what else you want. We talk about what I want now."

Cathy sat at the table next to Sumit and draped an arm over the man's shoulders. "You're going to show me detailed plans for the integration of these new territories. And you're going to remind your King that, though I sit on the Throne of Salvation, the Throne of Judgment is not empty. So. Be. Fucking. Careful in your war. I don't want there to be needless suffering, just because your enemies are communists. Yes? And, I suppose, invite Srijan to come join me here sometime. Perhaps I'll get myself another husband, eh?"

[Markus Wilding]

"You seem very confident in this fact, Your Majesty. I do not find myself convinced, but if you say it to be true, then who am I to tell you no, when I sit in your capital and drink your tea? Rest assured, Your Majesty, the King's armies are honorable and professional, there is nothing to be worried about. As far as these plans... well, I will have to have them sent here from Visakhapatnam, of course, but those can also be given in due time. Is there anything else?"