Action Time

Departure from New Delhi

The VIP terminal at Indira Gandhi International Airport was quieter than usual.

Prime Minister Rohan walked briskly through the private corridor, flanked by Foreign Minister K.P. Singh and Finance Minister Harish Mehta.

Outside, the massive Air India aircraft stood on the tarmac, its engines making noise in anticipation of the long journey ahead.

A final round of salutes and handshakes took place as the Prime Minister bid farewell to senior cabinet ministers and military officials who had gathered to see him off.

Singh adjusted his glasses and muttered, "Twelve hours in the air. I hope you've packed patience, sir."

Rohan smirked. "You act like this is my first long flight."

Harish chuckled, shaking his head. "Yes, but this one ends with the kind of reception where if you blink wrong, it makes the headlines."