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What happened during India’s invasion of Goa, Daman, and Diu in December 1961?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Map highlighting the location of Goa on the western coast of India along the Arabian Sea, with its capital Panaji marked. Surrounding countries including Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives are shown in context.
Portuguese India

Following years of diplomatic tension and failed negotiations regarding the status of Portuguese India, the situation reached a breaking point in December 1961. After Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru declared that India’s patience was exhausted, Indian forces launched a military operation to end colonial rule in the region.12

On December 18, 1961, Indian troops, supported by naval and air forces, invaded Goa, Daman, and Diu. The operation was swift, and active resistance to Indian rule ceased the following day, effectively ending four and a half centuries of Portuguese presence in the area.132

While Portugal attempted to appeal the case to the United Nations Security Council, the effort was blocked by a Soviet veto. The territories were subsequently incorporated into India, initially as a single union territory. In 1987, Goa was separated and achieved statehood, while Daman and Diu remained a union territory.13