Indian annexation of Goa

After independence in 1947 India demanded the return of the Portuguese enclaves, but the Estado Novo regarded them as provinces of Portugal. In 1954 India imposed an economic blockade, and the same year Portugal lost control of the inland enclaves of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. When pressure failed, Nehru’s government resorted to force. On 18 December 1961 Indian troops entered Goa from several directions with air and naval support; the sloop Afonso de Albuquerque was disabled in Mormugão harbour, and Panaji was occupied the next morning.

Governor-General Manuel António Vassalo e Silva, facing overwhelming odds, refused to carry out Salazar’s order to fight to the end, calling it a “useless sacrifice”, and signed the surrender on the evening of 19 December. About 30 Portuguese and 22 Indian servicemen were killed. In India the event is known as the Liberation of Goa, in Portugal as the Invasion of Goa; Portugal recognised Indian sovereignty only after the Carnation Revolution, by a treaty of 31 December 1974.