281: Side Story ● The Desperate Situation of the Three Kingdoms 8

Three days later, a negotiation with an extremely unequal atmosphere was held inside a large tent at a Pakistan military camp.

The India delegation was personally led by Foreign Minister Jaishankar.

He kept his head lowered, his footsteps heavy, and dared not look directly at Major General Arif, who sat upright in the seat of honor.

The chief diplomat of a former regional power now had to sign a treaty under duress here; the sense of humiliation almost drowned him.

The members behind him also looked ashen-faced.

In contrast, Major General Arif was dressed in a crisp military uniform, his expression stern and his gaze like a torch.

Behind him stood several high-ranking officers with equally solemn expressions, and an invisible pressure permeated the entire tent.

"Major General Arif," Jaishankar took a deep breath and spoke in a dry voice.

"I have been entrusted by Patel to come and discuss the terms of a ceasefire with your side. Regarding the conditions proposed by your side... our government... after careful consideration, has decided to accept them in principle."

When he said this, it was as if he had exhausted all his strength.

"We are willing to relinquish all claims of sovereignty over the Kashmir region."

"The ownership of the Kashmir region can be divided according to the Line of Actual Control and ethnic distribution, with the majority... being ceded to Pakistan."

"The remaining part... can be established as the highly autonomous Republic of Kashmir, and India will no longer claim any rights to it."

"Regarding the... ownership of parts of the princely states in the western... states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, if the local populace truly has a strong desire, and it is done through legal procedures... India... will not interfere."

"Regarding war reparations... our country is willing to pay in installments in the form of resources such as oil, natural gas, and ores, and the specific amount... can be negotiated."

With every point Jaishankar made, his voice grew lower, as if he were reciting a humiliating confession.

Major General Arif listened quietly, and not until Jaishankar finished did he speak slowly, his voice cold and filled with unquestionable authority.

"Minister Jaishankar, I hope you and the government behind you clearly realize that this is not a negotiation, but peace terms that you must accept."

"Based on your statement just now, we propose the final agreement framework—"

He announced, enunciating every word clearly.

"First, India permanently renounces all sovereignty and territorial claims over the region historically known as 'Jammu and Kashmir'."

"Approximately 60% of the land in this region, including major cities and strategic points such as Srinagar and Leh, shall immediately belong to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan."

"The remaining approximately 40% of the land shall be established as the independent 'Republic of Kashmir', which India must recognize and establish normal diplomatic relations with."

"Second, the western parts of India, including the Kutch region of the former Gujarat state and areas such as Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, shall voluntarily join Pakistan based on the wishes of the local populace and historical roots."

"India shall not obstruct this in any form or raise objections afterwards."

"Third, India shall pay Pakistan war reparations totaling the equivalent of 50 billion USD for all losses caused to Pakistan due to illegal occupation and military provocations since 1947."

"Payment shall be made in the form of resources such as oil, natural gas, coal, copper ore, and iron ore, to be paid off over ten years, with the first installment to be delivered within three months after the agreement takes effect."

"Fourth, both sides shall immediately implement a ceasefire. Within 72 hours after the signing of the agreement, Indian troops shall withdraw 50 kilometers from all newly demarcated boundary lines and disarm the relevant units (retaining basic self-defense weapons)."

Major General Arif's gaze was as sharp as a knife, sweeping over every person in the India delegation.

"Remember, this is not a request, but a ruling. If you dare to renege, or if there is any failure to fulfill the agreement in the future, our army,"

He paused, his tone deepening, "can cross the border again at any time, and by then, we will not stop outside New Delhi."

The powerful military deterrence and the reality of domestic disintegration left the India delegation with no room for bargaining.

Jaishankar's face was deathly pale. After a quick, whispered consultation with his team members, he finally raised his head with difficulty, his voice barely audible.

"We... accept."

The next day, at the same location, a simple and solemn signing ceremony was held.

There were no flowers, no champagne, only cold tables and chairs, and the stern faces of the soldiers from both sides.

After receiving authorization from his country, Major General Arif represented the Pakistan military, and Foreign Minister Jaishankar represented the India government; they signed their respective names on a thick stack of peace agreement documents.

The title of the document was—《Gurugram Ceasefire Agreement and Final Resolution Framework Agreement on Territorial and Reparation Issues》.

As the pen touched the paper, the decades-long Kashmir dispute came to an end in a way that surprised everyone.

India not only completely lost Kashmir but also permanently lost parts of its western territory and was saddled with a heavy burden of reparations.

Its international status plummeted, domestic separatist forces emerged one after another, and the dream of a unified, powerful "India" was completely shattered.

What replaced it was a remnant state with shrunken territory, riddled with internal contradictions, and a significantly declined influence.

The contents of the agreement quickly spread across the world via radio waves, triggering a global shock.

The USA, the EU, and other Western countries expressed "regret" and "unease" over the "use of force to change borders," but apart from verbal statements, there was no concrete action.

Neighboring countries felt complex emotions, ranging from vigilance regarding the drastic change in the regional power landscape to secret rejoicing over the decline of India, their long-term rival.

Inside Pakistan, the nation was plunged into an ocean of celebration.

The streets were crowded with cheering crowds, and national flags fluttered everywhere.

Major General Arif was hailed as a national hero, his name inextricably linked to the achievement of recovering Kashmir.

After completing the signing of the agreement and the initial redeployment of troops, Major General Arif led his main force, carrying the glory of victory and the first batch of reparations obtained from India, and embarked on the journey of a triumphant return home.

Standing beside the military vehicle returning to Pakistan, he took one last look at that land in the north that had once been so arrogant.

The smoke of war gradually dissipated, but a new geopolitical landscape had already been formed.

Pakistan, by virtue of this battle, had established its status as a major power in South Asia in one fell swoop.

And the starting point of all this stemmed from that arms deal, which was exchanged for 1 billion tons of coal and changed the destiny of the nation.

"An era has ended," Major General Arif thought to himself, "another era has begun."

He turned and boarded the vehicle, and the convoy rumbled towards the south, towards a brand-new motherland.