章 3: Interview

Later that afternoon, as the sun began its slow descent over New Delhi..

Manisha returned to Rohan's office.

She looked composed but there was a hint of urgency in her eyes.

"Prime Minister, Mr. Sunil Desai from the Ministry of External Affairs is here. He says it's urgent," she said, handing Rohan a small note with a brief summary of the issue.

Rohan glanced at the note, curiosity rising. Sunil Desai was not someone who used the word "urgent" lightly.

"Send him in, Manisha," Rohan replied, pushing aside the papers he had been reviewing.

A moment later, Sunil entered the room, his usual calm demeanor betrayed by the slight crease in his brow.

"Prime Minister, thank you for seeing me on short notice," Sunil began, sitting down after Rohan gestured to the chair across from him.

"Of course, Sunil. What's going on?" Rohan asked, leaning forward, sensing that something significant was at play.

Sunil wasted no time. "There's been a development in our negotiations with the UK. They've indicated they want to move forward with a trade agreement, sooner than we expected."

Rohan raised an eyebrow. This wasn't entirely unexpected, but the speed with which the British were pushing was surprising.

"What's the catch?" Rohan asked, knowing that nothing in international negotiations came without a cost.

Sunil hesitated briefly. "They're eager to secure a deal and believe India could be a strong trading partner for their manufacturing sector. But there's more. They want favorable terms, terms that might not sit well with the public here."

Rohan leaned back in his chair, thinking carefully. "This could be a big opportunity to boost our economy," he said slowly.

"But we need to be careful. The public is still deeply distrustful of the British, especially after the Partition. If this looks like we're bending over backward for them, it could be politically damaging."

Sunil nodded in agreement. "Exactly, Prime Minister. We need to negotiate from a position of strength. We can't be seen as doing them a favor."

Rohan tapped his fingers on the desk, weighing the options. "We need concessions from them. Tell the UK we're open to talks, but they have to understand that this needs to benefit India first. And make sure they know I'm personally taking a risk with this. My political capital is on the line."

"I'll convey that, Prime Minister," Sunil said. "And I'll make sure we're prepared for the discussions. Any agreement has to serve our national interests."

"Good. Let's arrange a meeting tomorrow with our economic and trade advisors," Rohan decided. "I want everyone involved so we can look at this from every angle."

Sunil stood, relieved to have a clear direction. "Yes, Prime Minister. I'll get everything in motion. Also, we've been reaching out to both the Soviet Union and the United States as you instructed. The response from the Americans has been positive, but Stalin… well, he's more suspicious."

Rohan smiled slightly. "I'm not surprised. Stalin's never been particularly warm toward us, but we'll keep the dialogue open. The world is shifting, and he'll come around eventually. Continue the talks."

"Understood, Prime Minister. Thank you for your time," Sunil said before taking his leave.

As the door closed behind him

Just then, Manisha re-entered, holding a small notepad. "Prime Minister, Lakshmi Narayan from The India Journal has requested an interview. She's one of the most respected journalists, and she's been following your work closely. Do you want to speak with her?"

Rohan knew Lakshmi's reputation well.

She had a sharp mind and a direct style of questioning, but she was also fair.

And in times like these, he needed to keep the public informed.

"Tell her I'll see her now," he said.

Lakshmi arrived a few minutes later.

She was calm, composed, and professional as always.

She knew the country was waiting to hear from its new Prime Minister.

"Thank you for agreeing to this interview on such short notice, Prime Minister," Lakshmi began. "I know you have a busy schedule."

"Not a problem, Lakshmi," Rohan said with a small smile. "As Prime Minister, it's my responsibility to be available to the public, and you're one of the best ways to reach them. Let's get started."

Lakshmi nodded, flipping open her notepad. "First of all, congratulations on becoming the Prime Minister of independent India. How are you feeling? It was a surprise to many, and the passing of Pandit Rao left a significant void. How do you plan to fill those shoes?"

Rohan paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "Thank you, Lakshmi. It's an honor, but I can't say it's something I'm taking lightly. I feel a deep sense of responsibility, not just because of the challenges our country is facing, but because I'm following in the footsteps of a great leader. Pandit Rao was a visionary. He had plans for India's future that we all believed in. His death is a great loss to the nation."

Rohan took a breath

"But I know that I must lead in my own way. I'll never be Pandit Rao, and I don't intend to be. My goal is to build a legacy that honors him while also shaping a future that reflects the aspirations of our people. There's a lot of work to be done, and I intend to get to it."

Lakshmi listened carefully, nodding. "People are eager to see what you'll do next, Prime Minister. There's a lot of uncertainty, especially with the humanitarian crisis following the Partition. How do you plan to address this?"

Rohan leaned forward slightly, his voice serious. "Lakshmi, the humanitarian crisis is at the top of my agenda. The Partition displaced millions, and right now, our focus is on providing immediate relief, food, shelter, medical care. But we also need to think long-term. Job creation, economic stability, and access to education and healthcare will be crucial in rebuilding the lives of those affected. It's going to take time, but we're committed to doing everything we can."

Lakshmi pressed on. "The public is concerned about how this aid will reach those in need. There's a lot of talk about corruption and inefficiency in the system."

Rohan nodded. "That's a legitimate concern, and we're addressing it. We will set up oversight committees to ensure the aid reaches where it's supposed to go. We're also working with local organizations and community leaders who have firsthand knowledge of where the needs are greatest. Transparency is key here, and we're making it a priority."

Lakshmi jotted down some notes, then looked up again. "What about the political opposition? They've been vocal in criticizing government's approach, especially with the speed at which reforms and project were implemented. How will you address that as the new Prime minister?"

Rohan leaned back in his chair, a small sigh escaping him. "The opposition is doing what they're supposed to do, holding us accountable. And some of their criticisms are fair. We're moving quickly because the situation demands it. But I believe in the reforms we're making. They're necessary, and I think over time, people will see that. We're also trying to engage with opposition leaders, hear their concerns, and find common ground where we can. But at the end of the day, we have to make decisions that are in the best interest of the country, even if they're unpopular."

Lakshmi smiled slightly, impressed. "You seem confident, Prime Minister. And confidence is what the country needs right now."

Rohan gave a small smile in return. "Thank you, Lakshmi. Confidence is important, but so is humility. I know there's a lot I don't know, and I'm leaning on my team and the experts around me. This is a collective effort."

As the interview wrapped up, Lakshmi stood, gathering her notes. "Thank you for your time, Prime Minister. I think the people will appreciate hearing your thoughts directly."

Rohan nodded. "Anytime, Lakshmi. Keep asking the tough questions. It's what keeps us on our toes."