Operation Red Thread

'Asian Security' is a quarterly journal published by the renowned US publishers, 'Taylor & Francis' from Philadelphia, US. This is a scholarly journal, that aims to be the foremost journal on all aspects of the national and international security in Asia. The journal covers "traditional" issues such as interstate warfare, the regional balance of power, alliances and other multilateral security institutions, national defense policies, strategic culture, civil-military relations, nuclear proliferation, conventional arms racing, arms control, and conflict-prone areas. The journal also covers "new" security issues such as the stability of democratic transitions, globalization and its backlash, ethnic conflict, insurgency and counter insurgency, failing states, and transnational terrorism. In its current issue dated 9^th March 2013, it has published a research note, written by David Brewster & Ranjit Rai, entitled as ' Operation Lal Dora: India's Aborted Military Intervention in Mauritius.'

David Brewster, one of the authors of this article, is a Visiting Fellow at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia and Commodore Ranjit Rai (Retired) is the Former Director of Naval Intelligence and Operations for the Indian Navy, New Delhi, India.

This article, written about India's efforts in the 1980's decade to expand its strategic reach in the Indian ocean and in particular its efforts to make the island state of Mauritius as one of India's closest allies in the region, makes such a fascinating reading that I thought that I must introduce it to my readers.

Many of the readers would immediately realize that when one talks about the India of 1980's decade, it was ruled at that time by none other that India's Iron Lady; Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Her entire political carer is dotted with tough decisions, like helping Bangladesh to win its war of freedom or action against Khalistan leaders, that had far reaching implications. This entire episode with Mauritius, is again a fine example of her statesmanship without least doubt. 

 

Mauritius became independent from British in 1968. India has been well aware of the need to have friends in Indian Ocean area on whom it could count upon. With this need in mind, India had supported for 14 long years, Mauritius Labour Party (MLP), led by Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam. In 1982, India helped, Anerood Jugnauth of Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM) to oust the prime minister and become new Prime minister of the country. MMM was a Left socialist political party in Mauritius, whose ‘ideological leader’ was Paul Berenger, a firebrand socialist of French descent, who became the minister of finance in the new Government, formed under prime minister Anerood Jugnauth. However after the Government was formed there was considerable friction between Jugnauth and Finance Minister Paul Berenger.

In a book “The Kaoboys of R &AW: Down Memory Lane,” written by a retired officer of India's premier intelligence organization, R & AW, Mr. B. Raman narrates a small incidence related to this story as:

“Just before Suntook (Naushervan Framji Suntook, chief of R&AW)retired on March 31,1983, a traditional alley of India sought India's assistance in a very sensitive manner. After discussing this at a top secret meeting attended by a very small number of officers, Indira Gandhi accepted a suggestion of Kao (R N Kao, her security adviser and founder of R&AW) to send Suntook on a visit to that country for further discussions with its prime minister. ”

B.Raman is obviously referring here to Mauritius and the fear of its prime minister Anerood Jugnauth of a possible coup oraganized by his rival Berenger. We have no means to know, what exactly transpired in the meeting in Mauritius. But it is known that actually, Anerood Jugnauth had requested that a senior R&AW official be rushed to Port Louis and help defuse the crisis.

There was a NAM (Non Aligned movement) summit in New Delhi between 7^th and 12^th of March in New Delhi and Mauritius Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth was seen attending this meeting. It is possible that he might have hinted about the possible developments in his country to Mrs. Gandhi. Soon after this summit, Mrs. Gandhi ordered Indian Navy and Army to prepare for amphibious landing of troops in Mauritius The secret plan was called 'Operation Lal Dora ( Red Thread)' and included troops of 54^th division along with six naval destroyers with Alouette helicopters and MK 42C Sea King aircrafts for slithering operations. Subsequently, concrete military preparations got under way in Mumbai at the time. Even though the naval plans were presented to Mrs.Gandhi, she never gave go ahead and the operation never took place. On the contrary, New Delhi somehow leaked the plan to Mauritius, and it created fear among the conspirators there.

The authors of the research note say that although the official reason given for putting off the operation was differences of opinion between Navy and Army, Mrs. Gandhi’s real aim may have been to spread the word in Mauritius, in particular a signal to the Berenger camp, that Indian military intervention was imminent.

As I have mentioned above, the R&AW chief Nowsher F. Suntook reached Mauritius and then supervised a largely intelligence-led operation to reunite the Indian community whose fracturing along ideological and communal lines had allowed Mr. Berenger to mount a political challenge. After this, Prime Minister Anerood Jugnuath dissolved the Assembly, quit MMM and formed a new party, Militant Socialist Movement ( MSM). He came back to power with the support of an alliance with the MLP and the Social Democrats. Paul Berenger had to accept becoming the leader of the opposition. For India, this was a huge success. Subsequently, Anerood Jugnauth stayed on as PM for more than ten years. It was a great personal triumph for India's iron lady, Mrs. Gandhi and her intelligence wing, R &AW.

After this, cooperation between Mauritius and India blossomed fully. Prime Minister Anerood Jugnuath requested India for sending an Indian intelligence office as his national security adviser. An army man, General J.N. Tamini, was sent and who remained there for many years. In the same year, Mrs Gandhi awarded the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC), a unique economic sop provided to Mauritius entities and persons to invest into India. Today this convention is one of the principal routes through which Foreign direct investment comes to India. Indian military assistance was also provided by the Indian Navy. All Government departments coordinated to continue close cooperation between these two countries.

Authors say that Mauritius became the Indian listening post in the IOR and the Indian Navy helped set up its Coast Guard, provided ships, personnel and craft and helicopters and Dornier planes which operated from Port Louis for maritime surveillance. Indian Navy warships regularly called at Port Louis and co-operated closely with the local Coast Guard and Police which is responsible for security.

In subsequent years, India did resort to military interventions in the Indian ocean, when naval ship Vindhyagiri helped to abort a coup in the Seychelles in 1986 and again in 1988 when commandos and naval ships were rushed to the Maldives after Sri Lankan Tamil militants sought to unseat the then President, Abdul Gayoom.

The Mauritius operation, however is unique as it was entirely handled by R & AW, India's intelligence wing and achieved excellent results for the country. This whole episode also highlights the importance, Mauritius has in India's strategic plans in the Indian ocean.

11 March 2013