In the capital, Delhi City, as the most populous country in the world, India often touts its own strength, which is reflected in all aspects of its diplomacy.
For example, the fine imposed on the Jieke Group was unilaterally decided by India's Antitrust Committee, an action that received substantial support from many lawmakers.
Thanks to the active promotion by Indian media, the public overwhelmingly supported the move, believing that as the dominant power in the surrounding sea areas, it was extremely arrogant for the Jieke Group to bypass India and monopolize the benefits by building the Kra Isthmus Canal.
Such thinking is not only prevalent among the lower classes in India but even more so among the upper echelons.
At this moment, a cabinet meeting was being held in the Congress Building in India's capital.
Among those present were Prime Minister Singh Rangichod, Minister of Home Affairs Rajiv, Minister of Defense Vipu, Minister of Finance Raman...
The theme of this cabinet meeting was the Jieke Group and the Kra Isthmus issue.
Singh was the first to speak. He patted the table and said, "Has the Antitrust Committee received any message from the Jieke Group?"
Minister of Home Affairs Rajiv shook his head and said, "No, the Jieke Group has made no statement. We are now a day away from the ten-day deadline we gave, and it seems that the Jieke Group is unwilling to pay the $7.2 billion fine."
"Does the Jieke Group not understand the situation? At this point, they dare to provoke us?"
Minister of Finance Raman was very surprised; he was the one who initially proposed imposing the fine on the Jieke Group.
Singh nodded thoughtfully, looked at Minister of Defense Vipu, and said, "It seems the Jieke Group has not recognized the situation. We need to make a move so they understand our stance. Vipu, arrange for a military exercise in the Andaman Sea as soon as possible and see if they become more compliant."
"Okay, I will show the Jieke Group our powerful naval muscles."
Vipu immediately responded, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
If the Jieke Group still refuses to pay the fine, he will send warships to provoke at the entrance of the Kra Isthmus Canal, letting the Jieke Group know who the real boss of the sea area is.
"This opportunity is very important for us. The Jieke Group's expansion is too blatant. If we don't strike at them, they will tread on our heads."
Singh continued to speak in support of fining the Jieke Group.
India's diplomacy has always been to unite with distant states while attacking nearby ones. This tough stance towards neighboring countries has often resulted in conflicts and manipulation of smaller neighboring states by India.
For distant countries, India actively seeks good relations through economic cooperation and arms purchases.
India's weapons have become a mix of brands from around the world, with almost all types of weapons from various countries found in India.
After the rise of the Jieke Group, the two sides began to share borders. Chan Country's western border meets India's eastern land border, and at sea, they face each other across the Mengjia Bay.
Being a neighbor of India, India's attitude is not friendly. With the continuous expansion of the Jieke Group, India's animosity towards the Jieke Group has grown stronger.
The opening of the Kra Isthmus Canal brought this animosity to a peak, resulting in this action of extorting the Jieke Group under the guise of antitrust measures.
"That's right, we must make the Jieke Group understand our stance."
"In this ocean, the Jieke Group must follow our lead and keep to the rules."
"The Jieke Group may have some strength on land, but a navy with a century-old history is not something a newcomer like them can handle. If they don't understand, our dual aircraft carriers will teach them how to behave."
Echoes of agreement filled the room, with confidence and ambition evident on everyone's faces.
The blind confidence in India is not just among the lower and middle classes but also among the upper echelons, as this confidence is passed down from the top.
This is because India's leaders always claim that India has caught up with the UK and surpassed the US, with world-class technological strength, on the verge of becoming a superpower.
As a result of this constant rhetoric, the entire populace comes to believe it over time.
Of course, India's military strength is not unfounded. The total strength of its land, sea, and air forces is 1.5 million soldiers. This force has enabled India to always aim for dominance in South Asia, to directly control the Indian Ocean, and to influence the entire Southeast Asia and the Arabian Sea.
However, India's national defense industrial base is very weak, making its military strength highly dependent on the import of advanced weapons. It spends significant amounts annually on importing and maintaining these weapons, while the so-called domestically produced weapons are fraught with problems.
It took over 40 years to develop the domestically produced Tejas fighter jet, which continues to face issues even to this day.
The domestically produced Arjun Main Battle Tank has been plagued with various issues from development to active service, to the point that India's own army dislikes and is reluctant to use it.
Likewise, the domestically produced Vikrant aircraft carrier took twenty years to build, with more accidents than can be counted on both hands.
This kind of military strength is like a castle of sand, looking impressive but easily crumbling with a gentle push, exposing its true foundation.
Of course, as long as no one breaks it, India continues to be pleased with itself.
Just as the cabinet members were brimming with ambition, the door was suddenly flung open.
A figure, rolling and crawling, burst in, his face pale and gasping for breath, making one wonder if he might pass out from lack of air.