India, Aug. 20 -- While memorials like the IPKF site in Colombo preserve the sacrifices of Indian soldiers abroad, the absence of similar recognition at home reflects a paradox in how India honours - or overlooks - sacrifices of bravehearts at the altar of regional stewardship

On India's 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alluded to India's strategic sovereignty (autonomy) while dealing with US tariffs, while honouring Op Sindoor, a non-contact undeclared war. Britain had ruled over all of South Asia and South-East Asia except Nepal and Thailand, which were not colonised. Both were hereditary kingdoms. India inherited the trappings of British colonial power without the intellectual and military instruments to exercise in...