September 10th, Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, Bombay, 19:00:
Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi were having a discreet meeting in one of the small rooms in the hotel. They wanted to speak about the current situation before earnest talks would start tomorrow.
"So Muhammad, you must have received news from Europe. Do the Germans' claims hold true?" Gandhi asked.
"Yes, I did. Very recently. Our," Jinnah made a small pause "masters were very good in concealing things from us. Again."
"Indeed. But this has to be the last time."
"On that, I can agree."
"I was contacted by the Germans via the Vatican. They gave me a short history of India and Pakistan. Apparently, India seemed to have been partitioned in the future." Gandhi said.
"We need to stop this bloodshed. Now we have the chance. Now we need to take steps to prevent these atrocities and wars."
"Yes, I agree." Jinnah took a breath. "But we can't neglect the question of religion either."
"Oh, I don't intend to. I only want to separate religion and state."
"So for you, religion is a private matter?"
"Yes," Gandhi confirmed. "As far as politics and the country is concerned. It's still my personal opinion, that Hinduism has to be regarded as India's main religion. However, the consequences of this frightened me. So much so that I have retracted my stance on this issue."
"But religion is a far too important matter to be considered as such."
"What do you suggest?"
"Well, a partition of India is out of the question," Jinnah said.
"I agree."
"I don't think the Germans treat us unfairly. The stories they told us are too realistic."
Gandhi nodded and Jinnah took a deep breath.
"The danger of us brandishing nuclear weapons against each other in the future must be avoided."
"I concur."
Jinnah sipped at his water in front of him. Then he continued. "Our country has to be a federation, in which the federal states have the right to determine their religion."
"I can agree to a federation. But I can't agree with your second point. We need to have a secular state. India should not have an official religion. Otherwise, we will end up with the same problems sooner or later. A minority in one state gets problems, and then it escalates. A small matter, an accident, a bad decision by someone or something like this can lead us to a civil war. No. The only possibility we have is to introduce a secular state."
Jinnah looked at him for a moment. "Yes, that could be possible."
"A state, where freedom of religion is granted, where everyone can celebrate their own god, is the only answer."
"I am still not completely convinced," Jinnah remarked.
"Look, Kashmir is a good example. There are areas of Buddhist and Hindu majority, but the Muslims have an overall majority. And the Maharaja is Hindu. One mistake, one bad decision can cause great problems. One group may feel insulted and soon other groups in other states form as well. And we would have a civil war."
Jinnah took a deep breath. He looked again at the maps and the history of both nations. A history to prevent. "I agree, let's make one state, a secular state. Religion shall be a private matter with citizens deciding what religion or god they will follow." He made another pause and then continued. "There will be people, who will hate us. for doing this."
"I know, but even if we pay the highest price, we should be glad to do so," Gandhi answered. "I am ready."
"I know. And so am I. It would be a small sacrifice. If we prevent a civil war it is a small price."
Gandhi just nodded.
"And the monarchs?" Jinnah wanted to know.
"Well, let them keep, what is theirs. But they shall have no influence."
"Yes, I agree."
"Then do we have an agreement?"
"Yes." Gandhi concurred.
"So only some details left?"
"Yes, but that can become a problem as well."
The Treaty of Bombay from September 30th, 1944, was regarded as the declaration of independence of India and the formation of the Federal Republic of the Indian States.
The Allies, and especially the British, didn't recognise the treaty, they even imprisoned Gandhi and Jinnah for some time, but they had to finally give in, as the resistance started to grow.
Although India remained a part of the Allies and their war, the Indian forces, if they were not fighting on Indian soil, were of dubious worth. In some cases, they just retreated, even if fighting a small enemy unit. Some even surrendered to the Japanese. The Bengal famine in 1943 and Churchill's role, which had been made public by the Germans, was another problem for the British rule over India. These events had given rise to British fears of a second Indian rebellion.