Khalistan-Varjhal Meeting

[Khalistan]

As Manmohan and External Minister Shuklaknew the chicken tandoori and strong Hajr coffee, an aide comes up and whispers something in the Prime Minister's ear.

Manmohan looks at the aide with a slightly shocked expression, the Prime Minister excuses himself and he and the aide step out of hearing range, except for a "Is that so?" by the Prime Minister. Monmohan returns to the table.

"Please forgive the interuption but some news has come in that the Defence Minister thought I should know about along with something you may find to your liking. As you know, Khalistan has been for the most part using Mayaland built or designed equipment for its military, but the Maharajah has directed the Defence Ministry to work with our own arms industry to design and produce our own advance battle tank for the Khalsa Army. So the Defence Minister thought that it just might be to our mutual advantage to at least look into the possibility of Khalistan and Varjhal collaberating on the project. Is it something your government might consider?"

 

[Khemia]

Valavan Shukla almost choked on his coffee, taking it away from his mouth and smiling happily. Good coffee, good food, and now a joint tank development program. The Minister knew he was going to enjoy the rest of this visit.

"We are most certainly interested in a joint-venture to design a tank. We have significant interest in separating ourselves from imported tank designs and working towards creating a tank with more focus on native resources," he smiled. "Something we can build without worrying about other governments and their economic meddling."

"Such a project would surely bring our two nations even closer politically, economically, and militarily. Such regional solidarity is something that my government looks forward to."

He picked up the coffee again and took another sip, he was halfway finished with the tandoori chicken but was rapidly loosing his appetite in his excitement. The chicken was excellent, something foreign chefs could never quite replicate, but Valavan was more passionate about his job than his palette. "What kind of commitment is Khalistan looking for in such an endeavor?"

 

[Khalistan]

"Though Khalistan and Mayaland have been close for generations, but we have always felt obligated to them. They help train our military and for the most part supplied them too, but we have alway looked to become a little more self sufficient, especially in the production of home grown equipment. For years, our factories have turned out Mayaland designed tanks and other equipment, and we have learned alot about tank designs and production and have now started a R&D program to produce that home grown MBT."

"Of course, you may ask yourself why not get the Mayalanders to join in, we have thought about that and as I had said before, we want it to be our own, besides the Mayalanders have their Cavalier Mk 2 MBTs they would perfer to sell us instead rather than sink money into a new weapons system one in which would could become a competitor of their own, so you see our dilemma."

"Before we had really had no place to turn, but now that might not be the case. So now the question is not what committment we are looking from you, but rather what kind of committment is your government willing to put forth?"

 

[Khemia]

"We currently rely almost entirely on foreign imports to both supply and maintain our armored forces, and have only recently begun expanding manufacturing plants for a native arms industry. However, the government has the money and the ability to exercise the unique if unpredictable efficiency of strong government intervention to fund any project that would create a unique opportunity to develop a national tank that would sever our reliance on imports."

"Essentially, sir. Where you may have factories accustomed to producing tanks and researchers familiar with weapons, we have a blank check and the willpower to continue funding regardless of cost-benefit ratios."

Valavan continued his coffee for a moment, surprised to find that it was quite acceptable. "Now, I believe the question isn't about our prospective willpower, it's about how we want to handle this venture, and rights to the final product."

 

[Khalistan]

"A joint venture with a joint design board to design and develop a prototype. Once a design is accepted, both of our governments will receive full production rights to that product with any license agreement of any components of course having to be worked out and that foreign sales must be agreed upon by both our nations."

 

[Khemia]

(ooc: assume the national change has been made )

Valavan nodded his head, he was primarily concerned with foreign sale rights. "Of course, we can agree to this completely," Minister Shukla smiled. The Unity Party wasn't necessarily concerned with limiting trade to legitimate nations based on politics, they were concerned with organizations like the Tanzim or other organizations of ill repute acquiring a weapon produced by Sinhai.

"What shall we call this project?" Valavan paused. "...perhaps 'Project Avatar'?"

 

[Khalistan]

"I am glad we can agree....and 'Project Avatar' would be a fine name."

 

[Khemia]

"I can have Sinhai Military Industries contact your people shortly to discuss expected costs, otherwise, is there anything else you wish to discuss?" Valavan began to finish his chicken and coffee.

 

[Khalistan]

"Just that it will be the Khalsa Ordnance Factory Board that will coordinate Khalistan's part."

 

[Khemia]

"While we're at this, we were curious if the Khalsa Raj would like to entertain the idea of a regional neutrality pact. Essentially, this will be our promise to one: not wage war on our continent, and two: not allow any allies to visit war, economically or militarily, upon the continent. For the purposes of this suggestion, our continent includes Khalistan, Sinhai, and Dai Viet. This is a bilateral proposal that includes three parties, but given the declining state of the LFS, I do not believe Dai Viet would have strong opposition. If you feel otherwise, then we can sign a bilateral agreement," Valavan smiled politely, but there was worry behind it.

"Certainly you understand that it's our purpose to keep certain alliances from interfering in Sinhai politics. It's not productive for neighbors to launch rockets at each others gardens, because then the entire neighborhood rots. Better another neighborhood rot, should it come down to such things, than our own. At least, that's the Parties policy."