1961 Goa Invasion

The 1961 Goa invasion was India's military operation to take control of Portuguese-ruled Goa, a small territory on India's west coast. Portugal had maintained its colonial presence there despite India’s independence in 1947. Tensions grew as Goa's people sought integration with India. On December 18, 1961, India launched a swift military campaign that lasted about two days, overcoming Portuguese defenses and ending foreign rule. The operation resulted in Goa becoming a part of India, changing the region's political landscape and ending centuries of colonial rule.