A New India

April 1953, New Delhi was experiencing a strange calm after the recent turbulence.

The purge of corrupt officials, the exposure of the Shadow's infiltration, and India's shocking nuclear test had all shifted the political landscape dramatically.

But while the streets seemed quieter Rohan knew better. He had lived through history both the history of this world and the one he had left behind in 2024.

He understood the reality of the moment better than anyone else, though he could never speak of it openly.

The reorganization of the government and military had started, but Rohan knew it was only the beginning.

Key leaders had fallen, including Amar Singh, the disgraced DGP, and President Naveen, who had quietly stepped down. New leaders were emerging from the shadows of the old regime.

Among them, Keshav Mehra, the new DGP, was rebuilding the police force from the ground up.

New political leaders like Rajesh and Pandit Nehru were taking on larger roles in the government, and the changes Rohan had envisioned were slowly taking shape.

But tonight, Rohan's mind was on the future. He had seen enough of history to know that India wasn't yet secure.

The threats that had been exposed were only part of a larger web, and he knew the country needed something new, something that could protect it from the dangers that lay ahead.

That's why he had been thinking about the creation of a specialized security force, a force from the future , a force that could protect India from both internal and external threats.

Neeraj knocked on the door before stepping in. He could tell by the look on Rohan's face that he was deep in thought.

"Sir, we've started the reorganization efforts, but there's resistance from some of the older bureaucrats. They're holding on to whatever power they can," Neeraj said as he placed a stack of reports on Rohan's desk.

Rohan nodded, unsurprised. "They'll resist for as long as they can. It's expected. But we don't have the luxury of waiting for them to get used to the changes. The country is too vulnerable right now."

Neeraj's voice lowered a bit. "There's also the issue with Nepal. The merger has been largely successful, but there are still regions resisting integration into the Indian political system. The local leaders are struggling, especially in the more remote areas."

Rohan sighed, leaning back in his chair. The merger with Nepal wasn't just about territory, it was about securing India's northern borders, especially with the growing threat of China. He had foreseen this friction from the start, but he knew that integrating Nepal into India was vital to the country's future security.

"We need to ensure that the regions in Nepal that are resisting don't feel abandoned," Rohan said.

"Send out teams regularly to check on the integration process. No region should feel like they've been left behind. If discontent grows in these areas, it'll create a breeding ground for Chinese influence."

Neeraj nodded. "I'll make sure the Nepal integration teams report every week with updates."

Rohan stood up, pacing slowly as he gathered his thoughts. "We've removed the most visible threats from the Shadow and exposed the rot that was eating away at our institutions. But we need to go further. We need something that can address these kinds of threats before they even emerge. Something more than just the police or military."

Neeraj watched Rohan carefully. "What are you thinking, sir?"

"I'm thinking about creating a specialized security force," Rohan said, his tone thoughtful but determined.

"A unit that can deal with both internal and external threats. It wouldn't be tied down by the same bureaucracy as the police or military. We need something flexible, agile, something that can act quickly before a threat can grow. A National Security Guard."

Neeraj's eyes widened slightly at the idea. "A National Security Guard? A specialized force that could handle situations like the Shadow, insurgencies, or terrorist threats?"

Rohan nodded. "Exactly. We've seen what happens when our regular police forces aren't equipped to deal with sophisticated threats. The Shadow managed to slip through because they knew how to exploit the weaknesses in our system. We can't let that happen again. And with China becoming more aggressive after the Nepal merger and the nuclear test, we need to be ready for anything."

Neeraj leaned forward, clearly intrigued. "We could pull personnel from the military, police, and intelligence agencies. With the right training, they could handle any situation, whether it's counter-terrorism, insurgencies, or intelligence gathering."

"That's the idea," Rohan said. "We need to build this from the ground up. A small, elite force. They'll need specialized training in areas like urban warfare, close combat, and counter-insurgency. And they'll need to be incorruptible."

Neeraj nodded slowly. "It's ambitious, but I think it's necessary. I'll start drafting a proposal for the NSG. We'll need to get input from the military and intelligence services."

"Good, after you draft it send me as soon as possible" Rohan said, sitting back down. "But we'll also need to keep this discreet. The last thing we need is for the public or our adversaries to know too much too soon. We'll introduce it slowly, build trust, and once we've proven its effectiveness, we can expand."

Neeraj stood up, collecting the reports he had brought. "I'll get started right away."

As Neeraj left the room, Rohan turned back to the map on the wall. He traced his fingers over the lines that marked India's borders.

He knew that the world was watching, especially after the nuclear test. France had conducted their own test the day after India, and now the international community was grappling with the idea of two new nuclear powers.

The Cold War tensions were rising, and India was now caught in the middle.

------

Later that week, Rohan sat in a private meeting with Keshav, Neeraj, and a few key officials to discuss the next steps for the country's internal security.

Keshav had already begun the process of cleaning up the police forces, removing corrupt officials, and bringing in younger, more dedicated officers.

"We're making progress," Keshav said. "The old guard is resisting, but we've started promoting officers who proved their loyalty during the purge. It's slow, but we're rebuilding the trust that was lost."

Rohan nodded. "That's good, but we need to be careful. If we move too quickly, we'll create more enemies than we can handle right now. We need to show the public that we're focused on protecting them, not just consolidating power."

Keshav agreed. "And that's where the NSG will come in. We can position it as a force for protection, not control. The people need to trust that it's there to safeguard their freedoms, not take them away."

Neeraj chimed in. "We'll need strong oversight to ensure that the NSG doesn't become another tool for corruption. If we're not careful, it could backfire."

"Absolutely," Rohan said. "This force must remain accountable to the government and the people. We've seen what happens when internal security becomes a tool for oppression. We can't let that happen."

As the meeting continued, the conversation shifted toward India's external threats.

China had been growing more hostile since the nuclear test and the Nepal merger.

Tensions along the border were increasing, and Rohan knew that China saw India's growing influence in the region as a direct challenge.

"We need intelligence on China's activities along the border," Rohan said. "They've been increasing their military presence, and we know they're quietly funding groups in Nepal that oppose the merger. We can't afford to be complacent. If China destabilizes even one region in Nepal, it could create a domino effect that we won't be able to control."

Rao nodded. "I'll start deploying intelligence agents to the area, under the guise of diplomatic missions. We need to know what China is planning."

"We also need to strengthen our diplomatic ties in the region," K.P. Minister of External Affairs, added. "Countries like Indonesia, Egypt, and others are key to maintaining our independence in this Cold War. If we can build a coalition of non-aligned nations, we'll have more leverage."

Rohan agreed. "We need allies, but we have to be careful. We can't appear to be siding with either the Soviets or the Americans. Our strength lies in our neutrality."

After discussing more on the details, meeting ended and everyone slowly left but Rohan sat back in his chair, his mind still turning over the many challenges ahead.

The creation of the NSG would be a critical part of India's security strategy, but there was much more to be done.

Yet he felt confident because he had come from a future where the world had changed in ways most people couldn't even imagine.

He knew what needed to be done to ensure that India was prepared for whatever came next.

The seeds of the NSG had been planted, and soon, the force would take shape. But it wasn't just about creating a new security force, it was about building a stronger, more resilient India.

One that could withstand the pressures of the Cold War, the rise of China, and the internal threats that had nearly torn the country apart.

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