To stop the coup in Seychelles, the Rajiv Gandhi government had launched the ‘Flowers are Blooming’ campaign.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a three-day visit to Seychelles. He is attending the 50th anniversary of Seychelles’ independence as the chief guest. PM participated in many programs there. Addressed the Parliament. Also met Indians. India has a very old relationship with this country. There were several coup attempts here. Once Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had to intervene for help. Come, let us know the whole story on the pretext of this visit of PM Modi. How did India save Seychelles from a coup? What was the name of that operation?
Seychelles is a small island nation. It is located in the Indian Ocean. After independence on 29 June 1976, political tensions continued to occur frequently here. In 1977, France-Albert René took power through corruption. Since then the country has been the victim of many conspiracies and coup attempts. Big powers were also interested in it. Seychelles had an important geographical role during the Cold War.
Mike Hoar’s 1981 effort
Only five years had passed since independence. Then in the year 1981, a major coup attempt took place. It was led by British-Irish former paratrooper Mike Hoar. He and 44 companions disguised themselves as a beer club and reached Seychelles. Weapons were found in his luggage. There was firing at the airport. Many people were injured. Finally some people hijacked a plane and fled to Johannesburg. This matter came to global attention. This incident raised security concerns in Seychelles.
Amidst the threats of a coup, Seychelles had contacted the nearby big country India. Photo: Getty Images
A new conspiracy was hatched again in 1986
In the year 1986, news of danger came again. This time the danger was from within also. Some soldiers and local allies under the leadership of the country’s Defense Minister Ogilvy Berlois were plotting to change power. Information was received that about 30 mercenaries and some locals were going to rebel together. The situation was serious. Rene appealed to India for help.
Demand for help from India and alertness of Delhi
Seychelles contacted the nearest big country India. India had maritime capability in the area. The then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and foreign policymakers considered the situation. Intelligence information and diplomatic channels also indicated that a coup could happen soon. Then India decided to take mysterious and swift action. This operation was later called Flowers Are Blooming. This was not an attack, it was prevention. India deployed its navy. At that time the frigate INS Vindhyagiri was heading towards Seychelles.
The plan was that the ship would stop at the port on the pretext of technical fault. This pause was deliberately prolonged. Along with this, a team was also sent which went as engineers, but they were also trained with weapons. The ship’s presence sent a powerful signal to the Seychelles. Its purpose was to scare away any conspiracy.
Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
IANS Vindhyagiri’s cosmetic role
When Vindhyagiri reached Port Victoria, it reported stopping due to engineering fault. There were helicopters and other resources on board. Some exercises and demonstrations were also conducted here for the local people. Activities like rope descent of commandos from the helicopter were shown. This was to show that India’s presence is real and ready. Such signals discouraged potential radicals. At that time the security forces in Seychelles remained strict and many conspiracies failed.
Rajiv Gandhi’s immediate air support
A few months later, another exercise was exposed. This time President Rene had gone to Zimbabwe for an international conference. As soon as the news of the new conspiracy came, India immediately reacted. The then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi lent his government airplane to President Rene for his return. His timely return and the cooperation of Indian officials were helpful in arresting the conspirators. It is said that some of the staunchest conspirators were captured on Praslin Island and Ogilvy Berlois was sidelined.
This is how the conspiracy failed
India’s quick and smart response stopped the coup. Rene’s government continued. Berlois and some other officials were forced to resign or were expelled. Seychelles-India relations strengthened. This incident reflects India’s role in the Indian Ocean. India showed that it can become a security guarantor for the smaller countries around it. After this Seychelles and India increased defense cooperation and community assistance.
Was this intrusion?
Some experts thought it was an international intervention. But the government of Seychelles had asked for help. Small countries often need external help. India did not take direct military occupation. Its policy did not include dramatic military aggression. India combined both show of force and diplomacy. It maintained regional stability. Also, the message was sent that India’s role in the Indian Ocean is important.
PM Modi, who reached Seychelles, has been honored with the country’s highest honour. Photo: PTI
Lessons and long term impact
This incident teaches that friendship and trust are important in the security of small countries. Just showing military strength is not enough. The crisis could have been averted with prompt diplomacy, timely information sharing and subtle military presence. This became a model for India. In subsequent years, India increased defense and surveillance cooperation with other island countries. Maritime surveillance and transfer of ships with Seychelles also came into this context.
This incident of 1986 shows how deliberate action prevented a coup in a small country. India controlled the situation through naval ingenuity, diplomacy and timely air support. This operation became known as Flowers Are Blooming. This showed India’s seriousness in the Indian Ocean and its responsibility towards friendly countries.
Also read: First French occupation, then 166 years of British rule, how did Seychelles become independent? Where PM Modi became the chief guest
