Why did India seek to absorb Portuguese territories after independence in 1947?

Following India's independence in 1947, the newly formed Republic of India sought to absorb the remaining Portuguese territories—primarily Goa, Daman, and Diu—as a natural extension of its sovereignty. This desire was driven by the goal of consolidating the nation after the end of British rule and the peaceful integration of former French settlements between 1949 and 1954.1

India’s efforts to achieve this through diplomatic channels were met with resistance from Portugal, which refused to cede its holdings. Tensions escalated throughout the 1950s, marked by the seizure of Dadra and Nagar Haveli by nationalists in 1954 and nonviolent protests by satyagrahis that resulted in casualties.12

By late 1961, after diplomatic efforts failed and border clashes intensified, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru declared that India's patience was exhausted. On December 18, 1961, Indian forces invaded the territories, ending Portuguese rule in the region the following day. The territories were subsequently incorporated into India, reflecting the nation's commitment to territorial integrity and the removal of colonial remnants from the subcontinent.12