Reaffirming the bonds

[king of cochin]

To:
Sri Lanka

Greetings,

In the short time since the establishment of Sri Lanka we have watched in awe and enthrallment the amazing strides you have made in progress. Relationship between our nations which started so tentatively has also blossomed into a flourishing bond. In the circumstances, we invite a delegation from your nation to Cochin City so that we may discuss how we may take our relationship to the next level.

Yours Sincerely,

HH Kerala Varma,
The King of Cochin.

[Lynneth]

[Private reply to Cochin]

"I will gladly come visit you in Cochin City.
I'll try to come tomorrow."

Sincerely,
Mahinda Rajapaksa
President of Sri Lanka

___________________

The next day, the presidential plane would fly to Cochin City, a relatively short flight.
It awaited landing clearance.

[king of cochin]

The presidential plane was given priority clearance to land at the Executive Air Field outside Cochin City and from there the President of Sri Lanka and his retinue would travel to the Hill Palace in a convoy of Blackhawk helicopters. At Hill Palace they would be received by KP Varma, Minister of External Affairs who would conduct Mr. Rajapaksa to the King's Office where Kerala Varma is waiting.

"Hello, Mr. President. I am really honored that you chose to accept our invitation. I hope you had a pleasant flight?" Even among friends inanities of pleasantaries had to be observed, after all.

[Lynneth]

"The honur is mine, Mr. Varma. And the flight was quite nice, thank you."
Rajapaksa sat down at the desk, smiling slightly.

"Forgive me if I skip some of the pleasantries, but I unfortunately don't have as much time for this visit as I'd like. So, if you would please, explain why exactly you invited me here."

[king of cochin]

"Mr. President, during the formative days of Sri Lanka our nations had signed an Optional Defense Pact. Since we then the international relationships between us have prospered in such a magnitude that our friendship has truly fused into great detail.

Events of our chaotic world causes one to reach out to new friends and reaffirm the links between our existing friends. Which is why I ask you, would Sri Lanka be interested in elevating our treaty to a Mutual Defense Pact?" Kerala Varma asked.

[Lynneth]

"The world has taken a turn for the darker side. The war in America, PRSEC apparently being annexed by the UFE, who're behaving very much like the Francoists in the Chinese past and so many other things.
To be quite honest, I'm glad that you're making this offer of a true defensive pact. China's posturing is somewhat frightening, and they're likely already planning to expand further, using flimsy casus belli to advance.
I'm not sure if it's just paranoia, but regardless of whether it is, I will gladly agree to a full defense treaty. It benefits both of us immensely."

[king of cochin]

"In times of great peril, the nations believing in truth and honor must indeed stand together, hence we are glad that Sri Lanka is willing to enter into a Defensive Pact with us. Would this draft document be favorable to you?" Kerala Varma asked before giving President Rajapaksa a document.

[quote]
[center][u][b]Republic of Sri Lanka - Kingdom of Cochin Mutual Defense Pact[/b][/u][/center]

Preamble:
We, the sovereign nations of the Kingdom of Cochin (KoC) and the Republic of Sri Lanka (RSL), in order to form a stable organization, ensure peace and security, and strengthen the long history of international friendship and trade relations , do hereby establish this mutual treaty of military and political cooperation.


Article 1-

Sovereignty-

Each of the nations bearing a signature on this treaty hereby declares that they will uphold the values and honor of said signatories’ sovereignty. They agree not to invade, interfere in internal affairs, or oppress the other signatory that partakes in this treaty.

Article 2-

Non-Aggression and Intelligence-

The governments of KoC and SL agree to neither declare war nor send secret operations to de-stabilize the countries. If either nation has intelligence about a threat to the other signatory, it is their duty to inform them.

Article 3-

Mutual Defense-

In the event either nation falls under attack, the other nation is required to come to its defense and declare war on the nation that attacked it. A war on one nation is effectively considered a war upon the other

Article 4-

Military Co-Operation-

Both nations agree to share military intelligence and have a united command center during war times. Weapons will be sold at 5% lesser prices. Military R&D may be shared if the nation leaders agree.

Article 5-

Economic Co-Operation-

Both nations agree to improve trade. They agree to have preferences over their products in the markets then other nation products. They agree to share the profits and import duties shall be cut by 5%-10%.

Article 6-

Cancellation-

This treaty can be cancelled by either party giving 72 hours notice to the other, upon agreement of both parties the 72 hours may be waived.

Signed for the Kingdom of Cochin,


His Highness Kerala Varma,
The King of Cochin.

Signed for the Republic of Sri Lanka,
Mahinda Rajapaksa, President
Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister [/quote]

Edited October 1, 2010 by king of cochin

[Lynneth]

Rajapaksa read through the document, finding it to be fine (aside from correcting to 'Republic of Sri Lanka (RSL)'.
"My Prime Minister will send his signature later today. He couldn't accompany me, unfortunately."

[b]Signed for the Republic of Sri Lanka,[/b]
[i]Mahinda Rajapaksa[/i], President


Later, the following would be added.

[i]Ranil Wickremesinghe[/i], Prime Minister

[king of cochin]

"I, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the Kingdom of Cochin thank you and the Republic of Sri Lanka for signing this treaty. Do you perchance have any suggestions on how we may really strengthen our defensive capabilities?" Kerala Varma asked.

[Lynneth]

"Well, we will most likely be raising our military's budget. Otherwise, it might be prudent to erect defensive structures at strategic and tactical chokepoints in endangered regions as well as constructing a large enough radar coverage that even the best stealth plane can be seen due to the sheer amount of radar coming at it.
There may be other systems to enhance our collective protection, but I can't think of any right now. I'm no military expert, after all."

[king of cochin]

"In view of this solidification of our alliance, we offer you preferential permission by which you can sail in all of our Exclusive Economic Zones without special permission. This is especially so since our coastlines are so near to one another and maintaining a rigid border waterline for EEZs would be irrational. On other issues, is there any way by which the Kingdom can assist Sri Lanka?"

[Lynneth]

"Of course, the same will apply to the Kingdom in our Economic Zone.
Regarding other issues...Well, we're still in the process of building our military and recent questioning in the parliament seems to favour a large, powerful army.
We need to organize that though, and for that I'd like the help of the experienced Cochin MIlitary.

However, there's another thing...Sri Lanka is relatively small, but has a large population. If possible, we would like to arrange a special economic zone or somesuch thing with you, preferrably in an area that already is developed and thus easier to develop further. I must admit I don't know where such an area would be in the Kingdom, so I'll leave that up to you."

[king of cochin]

Kerala Varma thought about the issue for a minute and replied, "As per your requirements, the Bengal Province of the Kingdom would be ideal for your purposes. This province is a fairly developed and industrialized area with considerable scope for more development. We could make Bengal Province into a Special Administrative Zone which would be under joint sovereignty of Kingdom of Cochin and Sri Lanka. This way Sri Lanka would have access to land and resources for its industrialization and Cochin can make sure that the people of the region prosper along with the region. We offer the entire expertise and facilities of the Training Command, Royal Cochin Defense Forces for the training of the Sri Lankan Army but of course we predict soon the reverse could be true. The Royal Cochin Army garrisons in the region would also cooperate with you for a fast development of your armed forces. The mineral rich Chhota Nagpur Plateau and the vast Steel industries of Jamshedpur Special Development Zone would be of great benefit to your expansion. The Bengal Special Administrative Zone also has well developed ports like Haldia, Dhaka and Chittagong which would facilitate easy connectivity besides the sufficiennt rail/road links we are building between Cochin and Sri Lanka, the Sethusamdudram Bridge Project. Royal Cochin Naval Base Chittagong is our premier naval base on the Bay of Bengal and would be offered for joint use by Sri Lankan Navy.

With our two nations working together, there is no limits to what we can achieve."

[Lynneth]

"Bengal, then. A special administrative zone sounds good. A number or corporations have been eager to expand into Cochin, and Bengal may become a first stepping stone for this.
I'm sure they'll work to expand themselves and Bengal's industrial capacities rather quickly. many of the corporations, like Oberone or Sci 5, are very ambitious.

It's also very generous of you to offer so much help in training our armed forces. However, do note that you'll have to train a considerable number of people; We expect at least one and a half million people to join the armed forces, if not more. While bringing our military budget to unforseen heights, it's unfortunately necessary...
The UFE is acting very much like it's similarly named predecessor, the Francoist Empire. Aggressive and acting like they own asia. It is for this reason that I will also propose a larger navy and possible even construction of nuclear weapons to parliament..."
He sighed. Rajapaksa evidently didn't want a war to happen, that much was clear. But then again, war was more or less an inevitability, even in the modern, oh so civilized world.

[king of cochin]

[quote name='Lynneth' timestamp='1286192910' post='2474133']
"Bengal, then. A special administrative zone sounds good. A number or corporations have been eager to expand into Cochin, and Bengal may become a first stepping stone for this.
I'm sure they'll work to expand themselves and Bengal's industrial capacities rather quickly. many of the corporations, like Oberone or Sci 5, are very ambitious.

It's also very generous of you to offer so much help in training our armed forces. However, do note that you'll have to train a considerable number of people; We expect at least one and a half million people to join the armed forces, if not more. While bringing our military budget to unforseen heights, it's unfortunately necessary...
The UFE is acting very much like it's similarly named predecessor, the Francoist Empire. Aggressive and acting like they own asia. It is for this reason that I will also propose a larger navy and possible even construction of nuclear weapons to parliament..."
He sighed. Rajapaksa evidently didn't want a war to happen, that much was clear. But then again, war was more or less an inevitability, even in the modern, oh so civilized world.
[/quote]

"We have contingency plans which may suit your requirements for training the Sri Lankan Army. Having been surrounded by potential enemies throughout our existence, we have prepared for several contingencies, including for having to raise a massive army from scratch. Our entire Training Command infrastructure is yours to avail and a sizable proportion of Royal Cochin Defense Forces would be devoted for this massive recruitment and training process.

Yes, how much ever distasteful it is, we fear war is indeed upon us. As a soldier myself I know the sacrifices and costs of war. Also as the leader of my nation I have had to send our soldiers into war. Thus I know what it means to go to war. Unfortunately aggressors like UFE are inexperienced in war and think that experience in a feeble civil war gives them an understanding of what total war is. Yes, the Kingdom has never been nuked, byt when I was the Chamberlain to Lady Sarah Tintagyl at Brisbane during the Hanseatic Commonwealth years, I had seen for myself the devastation that nuclear war can mete out. However Hanseatic Commonwealth also taught me about the resilience with which a nation and its people can bounce back from seeming annihilation. With Sri Lanka at our sides, we believe such a fate can be prevented for the Kingdom and hopefully other nations unfortunate enough to fall under the predatory visions of those aggressors," Kerala Varma said.

[Lynneth]

"Mhm. Well, I believe with this we are done, unless you insist on a treaty regarding our military cooperation - which would technically be part of the MDP between out nations.
Everything else is details that our respective militaries should be able to take care of...Unless you have something to add."

[king of cochin]

"This does not have to be formulated on a treaty. It shall happen immediately. May the heavens smile upon you, President Rajapaksa and may luck favor us both. Our nations need it."