V.K.Krishna Menon

V.K Krishna Menon

Krishna Menon was the Defence Minster of India from 1957- 1962 and made significant contributions to India’s role in international affairs. He led the Indian delegation to the United Nations (1952 - 1962), where he adopted a policy of non alignment. Menon has been credited with contributing to the Suez resolution and the organization and implementation of the United Nation's Emergency Force.

He was also the main protagonist in India’s policy towards China. Like Nehru, he believed that India’s main threat came from Pakistan. Even with the growing tension between China and India due to border issues, Menon believed that the Indian military were capable of facing any challenge posed by the Chinese. He had an uneasy relationship with the armed forces and his interference in operational and personnel matters often led to confusion and demoralization in the army. After India's defeat in the Sino Indian War of 1962, he resigned from office as he was criticised for the country's lack of military preparedness. On 23 January 1957 he delivered an 8-hour speech on Kashmir, the longest speech ever delivered in the United Nations Security Council.

He famously abstained from 1956 UN resolution demanding the Soviet Union "withdraw all of its forces without delay from Hungarian territory." Was the subject of severe criticism for the supposed pro-Soviet tilt, but was shielded by Nehru, with whom he had a close personal and professional relationship. Nehru did, however, relocate him to the Ministry of Defence. He helped to cement India's adherence non-alignment to the world stage and manifested the Nehruvian "tilt" against US and towards communist powers.