Crouching Dragon, Hidden Tiger

[TheShammySocialist]

Following the invitation by Tianxia to open foreign relations with Maratha, it was decided that given the proximity of both nations, and the need for peaceful coexistence, Santaji would dispatch a diplomatic delegation to accept the invitation. Led by the Maratha monarch's trusted cousin, Vijay Bhonsle, the mission to Nanjing would depart Pune in the early hours of the morning for the flight to Nanjing. Appropriate flight plans would be filed with the proper authorities, in both nations, and much of the flight, for the diplomats, was spent sleeping, as most had been up late discussing the meeting in detail with members of the High Council.

 

It would be mid-morning when the flight made its approach to Nanjing, and the onboard passengers would be roused shortly before landing, affording them time to prepare, appearance wise, for the meeting with their counterparts.

[Triyun]

The delegation would be sent in to speak to the Emperor himself, finding him in a pagoda off of the Imperial Palace center near one of the palaces many lotus ponds.  He smiled rising from his seat and nodding to the Indian.

 

"Your excellency welcome to Nanjing I am glad you could make the trip."

[TheShammySocialist]

Following a relatively routine landing at the airport, and traveling from there to the palace, the Royal Ambassador would proceed into a pagoda that he was shown to. During his arrival at the meeting location, he would take the time to admire the architecture surrounding him, and the quaint touches such as the lotus ponds and gardens that were contained in the palace grounds. He had little time to admire such, but it put him at ease being in a much more natural, simple setting. He would bow his head deeply when the Emperor rose from his seat and nodded.

 

"Highness, I must extend my cousins' apologies in not being able to make the journey to Nanjing, affairs of state have kept him quite busy, with the nation being at such a critical juncture. I am Vijay Bhonsle, and I extend to you the warm regards of his court," he stated, in a polite tone as he stood before the Tianxian regent. "Thank you for your warm welcome."

 

He would take a seat once it was offered to him, stating, "I'm very much glad that your nation extended a diplomatic missive to us soon after our declaration of sovereignty, as you have matters you wish to discuss as much as we do."

[Triyun]

"It is quite alright.  It is good to see India returning to what it once was.  For a long time it has been the sickman of Asia never quite able to hold a government together.  We hope for our mutual economic benefit that we can see this no longer happens.  Now how can we help you today?"

[TheShammySocialist]

"Well, that status quo has been broken, which I am quite thankful for," noted Bhonsle, referring what the Emperor had said about the subcontinent being a source of economic and social stagnation. "I can assure you that it won't be happening in the foreseeable future, barring any outside intervention."

 

"My understanding from my cousin was that you invited us to open formal relations. The Maratha Crown is hoping that the opening of a formal diplomatic exchange will foster positive relations with Tianxia, for as you noted, it would be mutually beneficial to continue economic growth. Both our nations represent significantly sized markets. My cousin was also hoping that I would bring up a dialogue on the Indian Ocean as well, if room for such a dialogue exists."