India Still Grapples with Kargil War Lessons

India Still Grapples with Kargil War Lessons

The 1999 Kargil War was a defining moment for India's military, and its lessons continue to shape the country's strategic decisions. Former army chief General VP Malik, who led the Army during the conflict, believes that the war's hard lessons - from equipment shortages and intelligence gaps to the need for self-reliance - transformed India's military capabilities. Malik attributes the success of Operation Sindoor, a precision strike on Pakistani airfields, to the lessons learned from Kargil. The operation, which was carried out without crossing the border, was a testament to India's military prowess and its ability to adapt to new challenges. Despite the progress made, India still needs to learn from the Kargil War and apply its lessons to its future military endeavors.