Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Mauritius on March 11 for a two-day visit. He is attending the island nation’s National Day celebrations as the chief guest. Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam invited him for this special occasion.
Before leaving for Mauritius, Modi expressed confidence that this visit would strengthen ties between both countries. He described the trip as a chance to open a “new and bright” chapter in India-Mauritius relations.
History of India-Mauritius relations: India’s Secret Military Plan in 1983
Did you know India nearly intervened in Mauritius in 1983 to prevent a military coup? This secret operation, known as Operation Lal Dora, remains a little-known chapter in history.
Background of the Conflict
According to lexpress.mu, the roots of the crisis go back to 1974 when India and Mauritius signed a defence agreement. This pact made India the new security guarantor for Mauritius, replacing the UK. As a result, security cooperation between the two countries deepened.
By 1982, political dynamics had shifted drastically. The Mauritian Militant Movement-Mauritian Socialist Party (MMM-PSM) coalition defeated the Labour Party, which India had supported. However, soon after, the coalition split. Paul Bérenger led the MMM, while Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth formed a new party, the MSM.
Vijay Makhan, a former Mauritius foreign secretary, recalled, “The local political context just imploded as the MMM broke up.”
Bérenger, who was in Jugnauth’s cabinet, had strong pro-Soviet views. Reports in The Diplomat suggest that some Indian officials were concerned about his ties with Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, who was allegedly funding the conversion of Mauritian Hindus to Islam. They also feared he would favour the Creole and Muslim minorities, possibly triggering a Hindu refugee crisis.
With rising fears of a coup, Jugnauth approached India for support. In February 1983, he met then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in New Delhi. She assured him that the Indian Air Force could reach Mauritius within five hours if needed.
India’s Secret Plan
According to The Diplomat, Indira Gandhi approved a plan to send troops from the Indian Army’s 54th battalion if Bérenger attempted a coup. India prepared to deploy six destroyers, Alouette helicopters, and MK 42C Sea Kings.
However, the operation failed due to a dispute between the Indian Army and Navy over who would lead it. Meanwhile, the 54th battalion moved to Mumbai without informing the Navy and tried to board the INS Mysore. The mission was later abandoned when someone leaked details to the US embassy.
Instead, Indira Gandhi opted for a covert intelligence strategy. Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Nowsher F. Suntook traveled to Mauritius. He worked with Indian High Commissioner Prem Singh to form an alliance against the MMM. Their efforts paid off, as Jugnauth’s MSM won the 1983 elections.
India never officially admitted to planning military intervention. The Hindu reported that the operation remains classified. A retired intelligence official said, “The matter remains highly classified to this day. But it was a huge success. As a result, Jugnauth stayed on as PM for more than ten years. We produced this outcome by political means.”
Jugnauth later requested an Indian national security adviser. Instead of an intelligence officer, India sent General JN Tamini, who held the position for several years.
This secret chapter in India-Mauritius relations highlights how political strategies shape international ties. Even today, the full details of Operation Lal Dora remain undisclosed.