UPSCpedia: Histopedia: Goa's Independence

When India became independent in 1947, Goa remained under Portuguese control.
The Indian government of Jawaharlal Nehru insisted that Goa, along with a few other minor Portuguese holdings, be turned over to India. However Portugal refused. France, which also had small enclaves in India (most notably Pondicherry, surrendered its Indian possession gave them up
In 1954, unarmed Indians took over the tiny land-locked enclaves of Dadra and Nagar-Haveli. This incident led the Portuguese to lodge a complaint against India in the International Court of Justice at The Hague. The final judgement on this case, given in 1960, held that the Portuguese had a right to the enclaves
On December 16, 1961, Indian troops crossed the border into Goa. 'Operation Vijay' involved sustained land, sea, and air strikes for more than 36 hours; it resulted in the unconditional surrender of Portuguese forces on December 19.
A United Nations resolution condemning the invasion was proposed by the United States and the United Kingdom in the United Nations Security Council, but it was vetoed by the USSR.
Under Indian rule, Goan voters went to the polls in a referendum and voted to become an autonomous, federally administered territory.
Goa was admitted to Indian statehood in 1987.