New Delhi, Dec. 31 -- The 1965 war, revisited through the voices of veterans like Lt Gen Kamal Davar and Maj Billie Bedi, offers enduring lessons:

* Operational readiness over bureaucratic caution.

* The insistence of Col Jind and the youthful determination of his officers underscore the need to prioritise initiative and adaptability over rigid policy.

* Infrastructure is strategy.

* Pakistan's ability to exploit developed border roads highlighted the strategic importance of infrastructure. India must never neglect its border connectivity again, a lesson still pertinent in the context of Ladakh and Arunachal.

* Armour and air power matter: Dismissive attitudes toward mechanised forces nearly cost India dearly. Modern wars reaffirm ...