Turkiye's 18-hour ultimatum.

....which fizzled out pathetically! 

Late at night, the Turkish Coast Guard became alarmed when they saw a shape suddenly emerging from the Mediterranean Sea. Soon it is discovered to be a warship.....and an Indian warship. A message is quickly sent for it to 'stay put'. In the morning, amid a tense atmosphere in Turkiye, an emergency meeting of the government and the military was held. Afterward, the Indian warship was sent a 18-hour ultimatum, "Return, or you will be responsible for any further action". However, the Indian warship doesn't respond.

In fact, until today, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have considered this special area of the Mediterranean Sea their fiefdom, intimidating the coastal countries, prohibiting their vessels and those of other countries, from entering and leaving that area. However, this time, it is an Indian warship, 'Trikhand' that has come within the range. The next day, Turkish warships aggressively surrounded the Trikhand and issued another ultimatum. This time, an answer came in a single sentence : "The Trikhand is on its way, following international rules and has not encroached on any country's border, hence the question of retreat or return doesn't arise".

Meanwhile, three more Indian warships equipped with 'BrahMos' arrive behind Trikhand. By then Turkey, citing NATO, is attempting to stir up trouble across Europe. This Indian destroyer, Trikhand, built at Russia's Kaliningrad Shipyard, was travelling with its entire fleet to Greece, where it was to participate in joint maritime exercises with Greece and France. With only half an hour remaining for the ultimatum issued by Turkiye, France issued a statement stating that the Indian warship fleet was on its designated route and was not encroaching on any country.

Seeing its strategic and international position weaken, Turkiye tried to stir things up but all its efforts were in vain. And the Indian warship fleet proudly set off for Greece.

The new India is respected and seen as a major power worldwide. India stepped out of the Indian Ocean and controlled China's bullying in the Red Sea and today stripped Turkiye of its self esteem in the Mediterranean Sea.

My take

Turkiye was itching to do something stupid but stopped short as it found India's steadfastness and the international support.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, sent all the messages, switched on the hymns on the home theatre, lit up the puja room lamp and opened up the house for the day.

Walked within the house and recited my prayers.

Breakfast.

Worked on my laptop. 

A quiet Thursday. Sanath had called up to say that he has cleared the NDA written examination.