Dawn of the Eastern Sun

[Serenierre]

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Grand Council for Diplomatic Affairs
Shahdara​

The Foreign Minister of Sri Siva was an honored guest of the Sikandari Grand Councillor and, as such, both ministers and their delegations had had lunch together before beginning the matters at hand. The cooks had worked especially hard at presenting a lovely variety of delicacies from Sri Siva and Sikandara, side by side, in the meal. It had been challenging for them but the end result was delicious. That much was certain.

Sitting in the grand drawing room, with his cup of cool mint tea resting in his lap, Grand Councillor Rustam Ghaznavi looked at his counterpart, Administrator Visariya "In this day and age, it is good to be amongst friends..." he said before he sipped his tea, while the Khadim poured out some pomegranate wine for his guest. "As you know since we began our operations in Yujin," he acknowledged the open secret, "we have been pressed in a delicate situation. But I suppose one must do what one has to."

Finishing his tea and placing the glass cup on a tray, which was whisked away by some other member of the staff, Ghaznavi opened his dossier and put his glasses on the tip of his nose, reading the agenda for the meeting. "I suppose the first point of order is the economic front. I'm assuming you received the agenda we prepared for the meeting."

"As the first point is on bilateral trade... well, trade at present stands much higher than it did a few years ago but it is felt that it could be encouraged at the state level to grow to a greater level. Our hope is to pursue 2-3% annual growth in our trade. Secondly, we hope that recent legislative changes in Sikandara will make it easier for foreign companies, Sri Sivan companies, to conduct operations in Sikandara by establishing local subsidiaries. We hope that similar opportunities would be made available for our companies wishing to operate in Sri Siva." Grand Councillor Ghaznavi paused as one of the Khadim arrived in the room with a trolley of tea for the assembled officials. As the meeting was not being conducted in Sikandari, Ghaznavi continued without fear of being eavesdropped by this staff member, "The details of our proposals shall be ironed out between our respective trade ministers... but I am still presenting the case from my government to yours... so let's see..." he flipped through a few pages.

"The Imperial Treasury in Shahdara has asked for a new tariff structure to be organized between our countries, perhaps with lower and more favourable rates on both ends. And additionally, it is thought best that both governments should make it easier for men of mercantile backgrounds and those who have business interests to move in and out of our countries... perhaps a special business visa." Placing the glasses back on the sidetable, he looked back at the Sivanese woman, "But most importantly, Sikandara is looking to Sri Siva to assist this government in financial matters by allowing easier access to Sivanese banking markets and other institutions, which can allow a greater amount of cash inflow into Sikandara. And of-course, we know that this has been on the table for a while, but Sikandara has finalized the details of a preferential oil agreement with your country, should it so desire to seek one with us."

"Your thoughts, Administrator Visariya?"​

Khadim: Sikandari variant of a bulter. @

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[Toungoo]

Grand Council of Foreign Affairs
Shahdara

Administrator Malai sat across from the Sikandari minister with a small smile, not to convey too much, but enough to keep the amicable atmosphere. Malai Visariya, however, was not alone as she was accompanied by Administrator Kwanjai Mahidol of the Commerce Bureau. Mahidol was a longtime political partner of Visariya and had been the modern architect of Sri Siva's economic rise.

"Certainly Councilor, we are aware of the burdens over Yujin. That conflict continues to expand beyond its borders and its burdens are felt among us all." Malai referenced Sri Siva's own struggles of the Yujiner refugees that continue to stream across the border into the kingdom. She took another sip of her tea before continuing, "One your first point, we agree that our cooperation over the past has yielded increased prosperity for both our two states. His majesty's government has been focused on increasing the economic standing of Sri Siva and that remains one of our primary focuses. My Bureau along with that of my colleague," She said motioning towards Kwanjai Mahidol, "will do everything in our power to encourage Sivanese businesses to invest in Sikandara."

"Yes," Administrator Kahidol said looking up from his dossier, "The tariffs structure can certainly be amended to be lower than the present rates among various industries. The Commerce Bureau can do several things to facilitate this transition, but we will need to have the Senate to vote and make the sweeping changes you require. This naturally will take time, especially in an election season, but its not like we haven't pushed through legislation before." he said shooting Malai a smirk. "But we would require that Sikandara make the same changes on your side of the equation."

"And as for the business VISAs," Visariya began moving to the next item, "My bureau can easily adjust the amount of VISAs that we issue and my deputies will make it happen as soon as I return."

Malai quietly took another sip of her tea. "As for the financial matters. We can help in facilitating connections between Sikandara and Sivanese banks or make direct loans from our government using discretionary funds if need be. However, all Sivanese banks will still be required to adhere to Sivanese regulations.

Currently, most of our Domestic needs are met by coal and lignite resources, but our native oil resources are a mere token industry and our petroleum needs are increasing. We need secure oil sources for our military and industrial growth," Malai stated looking at Ghaznavi, "at a very reasonable price." placing extra emphasis on the last part.

 

[Serenierre]

"Well, of course..." Ghaznavi said responding to the Sivanese woman, "the very point of the kind of oil agreement that we are proposing is to grant certain nations... or let me rephrase it. The goal of an oil agreement is usually two pronged; first, to offer oil to our partners at favorable rates, and secondly, to ensure that our partner's respective market is supplied as a priority from our end." Discussing the point in slightly greater detail for a few moments, Ghaznavi then reassured his guests that, "The legislative changes that we are seeking to be adopted by Sri Siva have already been presented to the Imperial Parliament in Shahdara and debates have begun... we will obviously seek to be balanced in what we do and what we expect."

On general, Ghaznavi was pleased to note that there was general agreement on the economic front, "With that done, let us move onto pressing political concerns that we may all share. As I presented my point first on the economic matters, please my esteemed guests, present now your perspectives on political areas of concern."

 

[Toungoo]

Malai paused for a moment to organize her thoughts. Yujin was both literally and figuratively the elephant in the room concerning Touyou. "The continued war to our north is the gravest concern right now at the moment. It is not only distracting our resources, but threatening the resources we get across the border. The growing refugees in the border provinces is straining the abilities of our local authorities and wasting our money and importing Yujiner chaos into our peaceful realm."

The frustration on her face betrayed the calm demeanor she liked to exude during a negotiation. "Frankly, its bad for business. This war needs to be brought to an end. An end to this two years of bloodshed, but on how to accomplish that short of adding more bloodshed, we are not totally sure."

 

[Serenierre]

"Yes, the eastern conundrum," he laughed out of frustration, "We struggled with that question in regards to Yujin for those two very painful years... but eventually it became clear that only a solid fist against the rebels would solve the problem... as you are well aware. We reached a point where we determined that the Imperial Government in Yujin would collapse if it continued performing in the manner it was... and that perhaps sometimes to get peace one must wage war first." He said thoughtfully, twirling the remaining mint tea in his clear glass teacup. He knew that eventually the business interests in Sri Siva would also realise what the Sikandari firms had realised. The continued ambiguity of the civil war, plus the prospect of a communist victory, which would spell disaster for the regional economy for decades to come, was not a scenario to allow to continue for too long. By hook or by crook, it had to be subdued.

"Have you seen the latest intelligence reports from Yujin? Xinhai Province, the one on your border, stands ready to fall completely into the hands of the Communists and Sri Raama is almost entirely in their hands already. What makes this doubly concerning is the support they might be getting from the Vangalans... who are as you know a nasty people..." He threw his hands up, "After all, who on earth goes down to the level of Vanguardist communism?" The fall of the Princes in Vangala had been a severe blow to Sikandara, everyone knew that. Regaining his composure, he continued, "I don't mean to dictate Sivanese foreign policy... but I must suggest that Khon Kaen should look into the threats presented by a communist frontier... specifically what effect it could have on your economy."

Moving on, "The entirety of southern Yujin, almost, is in rebel control... either the Republicans or the Southlanders or the Communists... very dreadful... a shame that a noble people such as the Yujiner have done this to themselves. But from our end, I would like to register our concern for Sivanese security from such a dangerous situation in southern Yujin. And we hope that the Sivanese military is adequately positioned to handle the matter."

The conversation continued, arriving on the topic of refugees, "These refugees are a mighty problem... we stopped taking them once we started finding criminals and other subversives in their ranks. Its a very nasty situation... we've had to place them all in camps that are run almost like a prison... serial numbers, rations, wardens... its dreadful. Perhaps you are having greater luck with the quality of your Yujiner refugees."

 

[Toungoo]

Both of the Sivanese ministers knew Ghaznavi had a point. The government has been getting progress reports from her people in the Xinhai province and they were getting worse with each report. What was worse is that this province was ethnically Sivanese with strong cultural and economic ties to Northern Sri Siva. Administrator Visariya finished her tea as one of the khadims poured her another cup. "His Majesty is currently abhorrent to the idea of direct intervention at this time and maintains that the Kingdom would be currently best served by finding a diplomatic solution to the present circumstances." the political speak rolled off her tongue like honey. This phrase and position had been repeated over and over time after time so much that Malai could speak them without thinking.

"As for the refugees," Kwanjai added, "there are struggles with criminal elements causing our state polices forces to run the camps like a police state. However, the main difference most likely is that many of the refugees are ethnic Sivanese from Yujin and that cultural familiarity helps facilitate order. We hope that by increasing the standard of living in the camps and bringing and amount of small comfort to them will encourage the refugees to work with the local authorities in keeping the camps well maintained."

 

[Serenierre]

"I suppose sharing a culture helps in such situations..." he nodded, his head resting on his hand, his arm resting on the arm of the sofa. "But we are aware of His Majesty The King's opinion and we respectfully accept his stance on the matter." He wanted to add, for the time being, but being the seasoned politician he was, he knew better. "So perhaps, if Sri Siva does not want to get involved in Yujin... it can help us in Yujin in other ways. Has your government thought what it can do in that regard?"

 

[Toungoo]

"The simplest this we can do is funnel money through covert channels to support Sikandari efforts. We could send equipment and arms." Malai racked her brain for ideas. Within the Chancellery many were advocating for more bold actions in Yujin, Malai included, but the King had tied most of their hands and absent a strong reason to do other wise they would remain tied. Or they had a new king.

"There was the idea of recruiting several groups of refugees and giving them basic training skills and arms and sending them back over into Yujin in efforts to 'protect' their homes, that that plan is in the early stages and will take some time. Until then for now as long as His Majesty's holds this opinion, anything more than writing a check is unavailable, and absent a clear catalyst that leaves military intervention as the only way that is unlikely to change"

They both knew what the Sikandari government wanted. They wanted Sri Siva to open a new front in the civil war and turn the tide in the war and preserve the status quo in Yujin. "However, if there are any potential requests by the Empire of Sikandara, we most certainly will entertain them with earnest."

 

[Serenierre]

Ghaznavi looked through his papers and passed a document from the Grand Council of Defence, detailing what Sri Siva could provide, before moving the conversation onto other topics. "So what are the opinions of your government on Sylvanian dogmatic republicanism and Carentanian moves to consolidate the Marxist states of the world? Where does Sivanese policy stand in that realm? Administrator Visariya this is your area... I'm particularly interested what you think as well... I could do with some perspective."

 

[Toungoo]

"Sylvania doesn't raise many heads in my Bureau as they don't presently concern us and are not presently involve in a large scale in Touyou. We have yet to see if they're fanatical Republicanism is just strong avocation of democracy and democratic ideals or a true push for republics. If it is the former then we ca find a common medium, but if it is the latter then we would cross that bridge when it presents itself." She paused a moment and drank some more tea. "As for Carentania there is a hunger in Rejika that it seams to be unable to be quenched. They want to devour the world, first Solaren, then Himyar, and now Touyou with Yujin as their first pet. It is a certainty that they will not stop at Yujin and Vangala. We are taking steps to ensure that they do not expand in Sri Siva's direction. Our main focus is Touyou, and it will remain Touyou."

She took another pause, preparing her next step, "To that aim we would be willing to work with those alliances that defend and protect Touyou." She stared at Councilor Ghaznavi hoping that she understood her emphasis.

[MENTION=635]Sikandara[/MENTION]

 

[Serenierre]

"And that is our aim as well, Madame," Ghaznavi said with a smile, "the situation in our region is anything if not unbearable without some cooperation between the powers of civilization banding together. We too feel that the Carentanian sphere is spreading far too easily from Himyar. This is unacceptable. You must know of the threats that they have made against our mercantile vessels. But, from your earlier comment, might I assume that the Sivanese Government is open to the idea of some form of official pact between Sikandara and your nation aimed at securing our region from the scourge of communist expansion and protecting the values of unrestricted mercantile interactions. If it is so, we would indeed be pleased with our partners in Khon Kaen."

In all honesty, the situation in the region alone was enough to occupy the attention of both governments, the impact of the revolution in Vangala and then the civil war in Yujin on the regional economies had been dire. Perfectly healthy economies found themselves stagnating under the pressure of the regional insecurity. In Sikandara, over the past four years, the Imperial Treasury had used every trick in its book to try to improve the state of the economy but it just was not occurring. It was incredibly difficult to attract foreign investment when the threat of communism spilling over into one's country seemed like a credible reality.

"So, Madame, what do you say?"

 

[Toungoo]

Malai smiled. "His Majesty's government is most certainly open to the idea Councilor Ghaznavi. We are very receptive to the idea. I can commit Sri Siva to any such agreement that Sikandara may have in mind." This was what both ministers wanted and something that would be beneficial to not only each other but to Touyou.