One must note that…

…Mrs. Wonderland…

…has grace.

Impeccably clothed. Hairdo.

She’s really done her homework.

Fitting in.

After all, it’s a very big occasion.

Something Europe and India sat on for almost two decades…

…has now come to pass.

Such was the enormity of the event, that Mrs. Wonderland’s every move and mood has been subject to intense scrutiny.

There was that snipe directed at the former ally.

Ya, at the one that stabbed Europe in the back.

It would have been a wonder had Mrs. Wonderland not thrown that javelin…

…now that she and Europe are in stable hands. I mean, who could resist throwing the verbal spear at the former ally, especially after the humiliating betrayal which took eight decades to decipher and speak out against.

It’s ok, Mrs. Wonderland, we understand you. And now that we have committed to you, we stand by you. Slates are clean. We have discarded any baggage, and are prepared to do big business with you.

However, we don’t do it with an I’ll show them attitude. We’re not throwing any jibes at your betrayer. He or she is still another business partner for us, whenever he or she comes to the table, in a mood to do business. All interactions, with all business partners, are…

…transactional. Period. No emotions. No nostalgic overhang. Pure business. As you so beautifully put it, win-win. Business doesn’t get larger than win-win. The green traffic-light doesn’t get any greener, as they say in Germany.

Nobody understands it better than you, Mrs. Wonderland, that it’s just business. And it will prosper when left alone. Gone are the days of racism, unnecessary visa harassment, double standards, disrespect and what have you.

Right?

You tell us.

Switched on, these are bad for business. Everything that’s happened is because these are switched off. But you already know all this.

Before we part, one small observation about the title of your interaction with India, “mother of all interactions“, or the like, this one was meant to make your ex-ally wilt, we know, we know, and that’s between you and them. When you deal with us, it’s Europe and India for you, and India and Europe for us; we’re looking at each other straight in the face, not left and right.

Thanks Mrs. Wonderland, one appreciates your affirmative smile, and…

…your style.