Episode 1 of "Saare Jahan Se Acha" kicks off with Vishnu Shankar, an officer of India's covert intelligence service, recounting the ambitious goal of 1970s India to attain nuclear power status. He vividly describes Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, a renowned physicist who was steering India towards becoming a nuclear power within a mere 16 months. As this crucial news reaches the CIA Headquarters in the United States, a sinister plot unfolds in Beirut, culminating in the tragic assassination of Dr. Bhabha. Vishnu laments that he was just 15 fateful minutes late in deciphering the intelligence that could have potentially saved Dr. Bhabha, casting a heavy blame upon himself for this immense loss to the nation.
He further unveils that this harrowing incident marked the genesis of India's clandestine intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), under the astute leadership of Mr. R. N. Kao. The narrative then delves deeper into the intricate workings of RAW, as Vishnu narrates how he meticulously established a sophisticated system for continuous surveillance of India's neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan and China. The invaluable intelligence gathered by RAW played a pivotal role in India's triumphant victory in the 1971 India-Pakistan Conflict.
However, Vishnu also notes that the resolution of this conflict gave rise to lingering tensions between the two nations over the occupancy of Kashmir. Following India's victorious outcome, Mr. Kao urges the Prime Minister of India, Ms. Indira Gandhi, to remain vigilant against Pakistan, as he is convinced of the country's inevitable retaliation. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Bhutto, is consumed with rage and frustration after his defeat. He instructs his chief officer to expedite Pakistan's nuclear program with urgency.
On a deeply personal note, Vishnu stands on the brink of marital bliss, arranged by his family with a woman destined to be his partner. Simultaneously, Pakistan intensifies its clandestine pursuit of nuclear capability, leveraging the expertise of its physicists. Mr. Bhutto appoints military officer Murtaza Malik with the grim task of eradicating any international spies within Pakistani borders. With brute force and impunity, Murtaza eliminates agents from the CIA, Mossad, KGB, RAW, and other intelligence services.
Brigadier Naushad Ahmed of Pakistan, who doubles as an informant for Vishnu and RAW, alerts India to Murtaza's brutal campaign against secret agents. This covert operation, shrouded in secrecy, piques Vishnu's curiosity. He delves into newspapers, radio broadcasts, and various other sources to unravel the mystery.
As Pakistan's financial burden mounts, struggling to fund its nuclear ambitions, Mr. Bhutto finds himself in a turmoil of frustration. Vishnu ultimately uncovers Pakistan's nuclear endeavors, sparking widespread panic among RAW agents. He urges Mr. Kao to dispatch him to Pakistan forthwith.
Mr. Kao seeks an audience with Ben Adler, the Hungarian Mossad chief, who confirms Pakistan's covert nuclear program—so stealthy that even the CIA remained in the dark. After repeated rejections from various nations, Libyan General Muammar Gaddafi steps forward, agreeing to lend millions of US dollars to prop up Pakistan's nuclear aspirations. Despite foreseeing dire repercussions, Mr. Bhutto accepts the deal, banking on the atomic bomb to safeguard Pakistan's future generations from the specter of war.
Conversely, Mr. Kao warns Vishnu that a successful Pakistani nuclear program could lead to India being surrounded by nuclear-armed neighbors, rendering it powerless to retaliate in the event of a nuclear strike. Vishnu ponders whether India will ever regain the footing to resume its own nuclear journey.
Mr. Kao implores Vishnu to embark on a journey, tying the knot with his beloved and relocating to Islamabad, Pakistan. With a stern reminder, he cautions Vishnu that any slip-up could spell disaster for their nation, urging him to accept this monumental task, acknowledging the inherent risks.
In the heart of Pakistan, Naushad pays a visit to Murtaza and is horrified to discover that the military commander has brutally extinguished the lives of all informants. The encounter takes a sinister turn when Malik confronts Naushad, warning him of shadowy intelligence agencies that might seek to exploit his vulnerabilities, hoping to incite betrayal against Pakistan. Naushad feigns loyalty, reassuring Malik of his unwavering allegiance to the country and Mr. Bhutto.
Post his nuptials, Mr. Kao entrusts Vishnu with two passports, charging him with vigilance in his crucial mission: to uncover Pakistan's nuclear facility and thwart its operations at any cost. The gravity of Vishnu's success, he emphasizes, weighs heavily on the collective conscience of their nation.
The episode concludes on a tense note as Malik and the nuclear program team receive much-needed funds from Libya, amidst the successful landing of Vishnu and his new bride in Pakistan, poised at the edge of an uncertain fate.
