NEW DELHI, JAN 14: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated Wednesday that sacrifices by Indian soldiers during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka nearly 40 years ago deserve national recognition, appearing to criticize 1990s governments for failing to honor their contributions publicly.
Speaking at Armed Forces Veterans’ Day event, Singh said: “The decision to send IPKF was debatable, but soldiers’ courage and martyrdom in Operation Pawan cannot be questioned.”
“The Modi government accepts IPKF peacekeepers’ contributions with an open heart and recognizes them at every level,” Singh emphasized, noting PM Modi’s tributes at Colombo’s IPKF memorial during 2015 and 2025 visits.
India lost ~1,200 soldiers during IPKF deployment (July 1987-March 1990) under 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord to restore peace in Tamil areas. Troops displayed “remarkable courage” despite mission challenges, Singh said.
IPKF contributions now honored at Delhi’s National War Memorial. Rajiv Gandhi government deployed forces; VP Singh regime withdrew them.
