Reborn In 17th century India with Black Technology

Gangadhar went on to explain with a sincere expression

"I know that a 9% overrun is a lot when we consider the budget we have been allocated but understand that with this navy, we can actually increase the economic prosperity of the empire."

This immediately intrigued the economy-minded Jagannath Mohan, Rajesh, and Vinod.

"The travel routes between Bharat and Southeast Asia, Bharat and Africa, or Bharat and Arabia would be much safer, and it would open up a lot more channels of wealth and many more markets for the Bharatiya Empire."

" Additionally with this navy, we can further control more resources in our vicinity which is a huge gain"

"Also, I solemnly promise that I will not request a naval expansion again for at least the next five years, unless we are at war with someone or if his majesty deems it necessary."

Gangadhar used up all the cards he had accumulated in a single breath and stood silently, panting like a prisoner waiting for his verdict.

Ganesh, who saw the admiral, was taken aback, as Gangadhar had not even broken a sweat when pulling him along for a 100-metre dash, yet now, speaking just a few sentences had made him so tired. Ganesh rolled his eyes in exasperation.

Jagannath Mohan and Rajesh became silent, Vinod was left with a thoughtful expression, and Kiran Poojari felt that he could let the admiral have his way for once since if the expansion of the navy stopped, he could fight for more benefits for the army.

Everyone’s eyes immediately fell on Vijay. Vijay had a faint smile on his face as if he was unconvinced, but in truth, he was actually thinking about the points proposed by Gangadhar. He had considered opening up the markets in Southeast Asia, but he hadn’t put much thought into the markets in Africa and Arabia, since they are so sparsely populated and so far away.

But now that Gangadhar mentioned it, the Bharatiya Empire currently had the power to fight for these resources and profits, whereas in the past it did not.

As for the decision of whether to deny the overrun or to accept it, he didn’t even consider the question for a second. He knew that 800,000 tonnes was nothing for his current ambitions. America in his previous life had a navy with a total displacement of nearly 4.5 million tonnes.

Even though in the current era such power was not necessary and manufacturing such ships was also impossible, it is not too ridiculous to say that in order to obtain some influence around the world in this era, at least for the Bharatiya Empire and its disadvantageous geography for expansion, one million tonnes would be the sweet spot.

The anticipation of everyone did not last long, as Vijay finally gave his verdict, "We’ll build all these ships, but since the overrun of 600 kilograms of gold is indeed a lot and there have been some changes in international diplomacy, the construction span of the navy will be extended up to January 1660."

Everyone found it acceptable since there was no problem coping with 6.04 tonnes of gold over the span of two years.

However, Gangadhar immediately became excited, "But, Your Majesty, don’t we have the naval domination plan next year? Don’t we need these ships for the plan?"

Vijay shook his head, "Gangadhar, you yourself said that this Navy is enough to expand our influence throughout the world. Do you now need such a Navy to completely dominate the Indian Ocean?"

Gangadhar immediately became embarrassed, as he knew that even a fraction of the Navy was enough to achieve their goal.

Vijay continued, "The deadline I gave previously was in case all the shipyards of the empire only worked on construction for the next year, as I anticipated a lot of European interference. But now, it looks like we don’t have to be too cautious. I suspect that a war is going to start in Europe very soon."

Vijay had been constantly receiving intelligence from the Safavid Empire, and the civil war had already gotten out of control. The noble families had begun to ignore the treaty they made amongst themselves, secretly poaching a lot of veteran soldiers from the army stationed at the borders. This not only made the civil war much bloodier but also weakened the overall power of the Safavid Empire.

With constant propaganda pouring into the Safavid Empire through the Persian Atashban family, the people had also grown impatient with the war waged by the nobles and had started to align with the Atashban family, who promised an end to all wars and suffering, and also to re-establish the glorious and mighty Persian Empire.

With this shift, the Bharatiya Empire had strong control over the Atashban family, who had to rely on the Bharatiya Empire for everything. It is with this confidence that Vijay is so certain he can turn the Safavid Empire against the Ottoman Empire.

And it is due to this assurance that Vijay is sure the Europeans won’t be able to interfere with the Bharatiya Empire, given a major war will soon be fought on the European continent.

Some ministers in the meeting knew exactly what His Majesty was talking about, while others didn’t, as not everyone was aware that His Majesty wanted to use Russia, the Republic of Venice, and the Safavid Empire as weapons to target the Ottoman Empire.

"So, in this time span, it is enough for you to build one-third of the ships you have proposed—that is, the ships that will join the Indian Ocean Fleet of the Bharatiya Navy."

Gangadhar immediately understood and reluctantly agreed.

---

The meeting went on for a few more hours as more specific details were discussed. Finally, the meeting reached the last part.

"Gangadhar, I asked you to go out and plan various strategic chokeholds and strongholds in the Indian Ocean for us to control. Have you done that?"

Gangadhar nodded his head. "I have, Your Majesty."

"I have identified 12 different islands that could act as bases for the stationing of our military."

"They are, namely, the Maldives, the Seychelles, Mauritius, the Chagos Archipelago, Madagascar, Réunion, Comoros, Socotra, Christmas Island, the Cocos Islands, and the Mayotte Island."

"As for the importance of the bases that will be built on these islands, I have divided them into three tiers."

"Tier one being the critical naval bases, which are crucial for the dominance of the Bharatiya Navy within the Indian Ocean. Tier two being the very important naval bases, which would give us some sort of advantage over the surrounding geography or in controlling the trade routes and economic arteries of the empire.

As for tier three, it is designated as support bases, which would act as the main logistics hubs for our primary bases and outposts against any foreign interference."

"Socotra Island, having control over the Red Sea and Arabian region; the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, controlling the Strait of Malacca and the movement—whether economic or military—between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean; and finally, the Chagos Archipelago, located in the centre of the Indian Ocean with naval dominance to act in any direction and being isolated for superior defence, are the three military bases classified under tier one."

Everyone looked at the map and saw the red line that went from the Gulf of Aden to the central Indian Ocean and then to the Strait of Malacca. They immediately understood that these defensive bases would form a pincer formation for any enemy daring to venture into the Indian Ocean.

Vijay, being a person from the 21st century, immediately remembered the Chagos Archipelago as being the British Indian Ocean Territory, which was mainly controlled by the Americans due to its supreme military significance, not only in naval but also in air dominance. Vijay was very happy that this important strategic point was currently under his control.

Gangadhar went on to explain:

"For the tier two bases, the Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, Cocos, and Christmas Islands are all selected for their importance in either controlling trade or their strategic significance in exerting influence over a certain region."

"For the tier three bases, most of them are located at the edge of the Indian Ocean, namely Madagascar, Réunion, Comoros, and Mayotte, mainly because this is the area where most of the Europeans travel, especially around the Cape of Good Hope and the Mozambique Channel. Therefore, it is imperative that we have our eyes and ears over this region."

"The tier one, tier two, and tier three bases, when joined together, make the Indian Ocean an impenetrable fortress, which, in theory, even the combined might of European naval forces cannot breach."

"That being said, we are currently investigating the situation of each and every one of these bases we have not stepped on, but I believe it would not take long."

Gangadhar finally finished his report and sat down. He took a sip of water to wet his parched throat while everyone silently reviewed everything they had discussed that day.

At the end of the meeting, Vijay made the decision to approve the naval construction plan and allocate the funds.

PM Vinod personally reassured Gangadhar about the allocation of the funds.

As for the finalization of the naval net strategy proposed by Gangadhar, everyone was very satisfied, as there was nothing to point out. However, the final approval was postponed since some of the islands mentioned by Gangadhar were occupied by other forces. Therefore, until thorough intel was obtained, finalizing the plan was not under consideration.

P.S. I have Headache, sorry ruff edit

P.S. About the islands, ill explain more during the battle , for now look at this awsome map I made in the comments.