India's Annexation of Daman and Diu
December 19th, 1961
December 19th, 1961
How Long Ago?
63 years, 2 months, 24 days ago
Location
Daman and Diu, India
Category
Military & Warfare
People
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- Salgado de Somoza
Links & References
Tags
India's Annexation of Daman and Diu
Indian military forces launched an operation to annex Daman and Diu, two small territories previously under Portuguese control in India. Following negotiations that failed to yield results, India resumed military efforts to integrate these territories. The operation began on December 17 and concluded on December 19, resulting in a decisive victory for India. The swift military action marked the end of Portuguese colonialism in India, with the territories being officially integrated into the Indian Union.
Operation Vijay concluded on December 19, 1961.
Daman and Diu were Portuguese territories in India.
India's military action ended colonialism in the region.
Negotiations failed before the military operation began.
What Happened?
The annexation of Daman and Diu occurred in December 1961, when Indian armed forces executed a military operation to reclaim the Portuguese territories in India, which had resisted integration into the Indian Union since independence in 1947. The decision to act was driven by India's desire to eliminate colonialism from its borders and its commitment to national unity. The operation, codenamed 'Operation Vijay,' combined air and land assaults, ultimately capturing Daman and Diu within a matter of days.
This military intervention took place against the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Portugal, as well as broader geopolitical considerations during the Cold War. Negotiations for a peaceful transfer of power had been attempted, but Portugal remained rigid in its refusal to relinquish its colonial possessions. The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, opted for military action when talks broke down, asserting that the territories should be incorporated into India.
The result of Operation Vijay was significant; Indian forces swiftly defeated the Portuguese, and within hours, the territories were under Indian control. The annexation was met with little international backlash and was seen as a definitive end to Portuguese colonial rule in India, reinforcing India's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Why Does it Matter?
The annexation of Daman and Diu is noteworthy for ending the last remnants of European colonialism in India, a process that had been ongoing since the 1940s. This action solidified India's position as a nation committed to territorial unity and was a symbolic victory against colonial rule. The integration of these territories also fostered a sense of nationalism and pride, illustrating India's resolve to assert its independence and territorial claims.
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