Instrument of Accession Menon was the political advisor of the last
Viceroy of India, Lord
Louis Mountbatten. When the interim Government had collapsed due to the rivalry between the
Indian National Congress and the
Muslim League, Menon had proposed to Mountbatten,
Jawaharlal Nehru and
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Indian leaders, the Muslim League's plan to partition India into two independent nations - India and
Pakistan.
Junagadh In August 1947, the
Nawab of Junagadh—a Muslim ruler presiding over a predominantly Hindu state surrounded by Indian territory—signed the Instrument of Accession with
Pakistan, becoming the first princely state to do so. India strongly objected to this decision, arguing that Junagadh’s accession to Pakistan violated both geographic contiguity and the will of its Hindu-majority population. India responded by imposing a blockade, instigating political instability, and facilitating defections among local vassal states to accede to India. Eventually, administrative control passed to India when Junagadh’s rulers sought intervention amid unrest, followed by a plebiscite in February 1948, in which over 99.9% voted to join India, leading to its formal annexation and merger into Saurashtra State. As Secretary of the States Department, V. P. Menon was deeply involved in the diplomatic and legal maneuvers surrounding Junagadh’s accession. On 17 September 1947, just after Pakistan accepted Junagadh’s accession, he visited the state to deliver India’s protest directly to Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the Dewan, insisting that the accession be retracted—though Bhutto cited international law to claim its validity. Menon also worked behind the scenes to mobilize local leaders, including journalists and activists like Samaldas Gandhi, supporting the formation of a provisional government ("Arziee Hukumat"), which amplified internal dissent against the Nawab’s decision. His negotiations and legal framing laid the groundwork for India to assert control over Junagadh, culminating in India's formal administration takeover and the 1948 plebiscite.
Hyderabad Following Indian independence in August 1947, the Nizam of Hyderabad—Mir Osman Ali Khan—refused to join either India or Pakistan and declared Hyderabad an independent sovereign state, hoping to continue under British suzerainty despite being surrounded by Indian territory and ruled over a predominantly Hindu population. India insisted Hyderabad accede, citing geographic contiguity and internal security. A Standstill Agreement signed in November 1947 temporarily extended administrative relations but notably did not allow Indian troops into the state, fearing that Hyderabad was using the interval to strengthen its position and build ties with Pakistan-backed militias known as the Razakars. As lawlessness grew and the Razakars began terrorizing the populace, India launched Operation Polo ("police action") in September 1948. Within five days, the Indian Army secured Hyderabad, the Nizam capitulated on 17 September, and a plebiscite was avoided—Hyderabad was formally integrated into India. The aftermath saw widespread communal violence; official estimates cite 30,000–40,000 civilian deaths, while other accounts put the toll closer to 200,000. As Secretary of the States Department, V. P. Menon played a central strategic and legal role in managing the Hyderabad situation. He was responsible for drafting and negotiating the Standstill Agreement, working alongside Sardar Patel and Mountbatten to ensure it preserved India’s right over defence, external affairs, and communications—or at least delayed formal accession until a resolution could be found. Menon’s framing allowed India to legally restrict Hyderabad’s freedom, anticipating potential internal disturbances. Behind the scenes, he coordinated diplomatic pressure, economic isolation, and contingency planning that preceded the decision for police action when negotiation failed and Razakar violence escalated. While avoidance of bloodshed was attempted through diplomacy, Menon supported military planning as a last resort—operation Polo unfolded decisively following his legal groundwork and strategic planning.
Tripura Merger Agreement Menon signed the agreement on behalf of the Governor General. The agreement took effect on October 15, 1949.
Jammu and Kashmir On 25 October, V.P. Menon arrived at Srinagar to assess the situation of Kashmir and advised
Maharaja Hari Singh to proceed to Jammu as invaders were very close to Srinagar. Maharaja Hari Singh left from Srinagar to Jammu on the same night. V.P. Menon along with
Mehr Chand Mahajan (Prime Minister J&K) left for New Delhi by air on the morning of 26 October. On arriving at New Delhi, Lord Mountbatten assured militarily intervention in J&K only after instrument of accession were signed. V.P. Menon then left from New Delhi to Jammu by air on the afternoon of 26 October, secured signature on the legal documents, returning that evening by air to New Delhi. The next day, on 27 October
Lord Mountbatten accepted the accession of the Princely State of Jammu & Kashmir to India and Indian Army landed on Srinagar airport on the same day. ==Later years==