Chapter 71: Strategic Neutrality

The roaring engines of Indian tanks and aircraft in Bombay in 1940 were a stark contrast to the distant thunder of war consuming Europe. Prime Minister Bose, guided by Adav's meticulous strategy, declared India's official stance of strict neutrality in the burgeoning global conflict. This was not the neutrality of weakness or indifference; it was a calculated position designed to maximize India's advantage.

Adav's rationale, meticulously laid out for Bose and his inner cabinet, was crystal clear: India had just achieved independence. Engaging in a costly global war, on behalf of former colonial masters or ideological factions, would be a drain on its nascent strength, diverting resources from industrialization and national development. Instead, India would become the arsenal of democracy, and indeed, of any power willing to pay, without shedding Indian blood on foreign soil.

This neutrality, however, was far from passive. India refused to commit troops to any side, but its vast industrial capacity, honed by Adav for decades, was ready to capitalize on the insatiable demands of war. Adav meticulously navigated the complex diplomatic landscape, ensuring India maintained trade relations that benefited its long-term goals. While publicly neutral, Bharat Corporation discreetly positioned itself to become a crucial supplier to the Allied powers, who were desperately in need of resources and manufactured goods as their own industries became overstretched. Adav ensured every deal was struck on India's terms, prioritizing technology transfer, favorable trade balances, and the further strengthening of India's internal market.