Debacle to Resurgence: Y.B. Chavan, Defence Minister (1962–66)

Relatively little is known about Y.B. Chavan, India’s defence minister from 1962 to 1966. He replaced the controversial Mr. Krishna Menon on 19 November 1962, when India’s war with China was still going on. Chavan was also the defence minister when India fought its second war with Pakistan in 1965. The present book is an attempt to throw light on the shaping of Y.B. Chavan as defence minister of India during 1962–1966.

The 1962 war with China had a shattering impact on the Indian psyche as the Indian army suffered a humiliating defeat. India fared much better in the 1965 war with Pakistan but the outcome was a stalemate. India gained some territories while losing some to Pakistan. The war was finally settled at the negotiating table in Tashkent in January 1966 under the controversial Soviet mediation.