Operation Flowers Are Blooming: How India Secretly Foiled Two Coup Attempts In Seychelles

Last Updated:June 27, 2026, 17:07 IST

Known as Operation Flowers Are Blooming, the covert mission in 1986 saw the Indian Navy help thwart two coup attempts against then Seychelles President France-Albert René.

Long before Seychelles became a key maritime security partner under India’s MAHASAGAR vision, New Delhi quietly carried out one of its most successful overseas security operations in the island nation.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Seychelles from 27-29 June 2026 to attend the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the country’s National Day as the Guest of Honour, the decades-old mission has once again drawn attention for laying the foundations of India’s security role in the Indian Ocean.

During the visit, PM Modi will also become the first Indian Prime Minister to address the National Assembly of Seychelles.

Known as Operation Flowers Are Blooming, the covert mission in 1986 saw the Indian Navy help thwart two coup attempts against then Seychelles President France-Albert René without firing a single shot. Details of the operation later emerged through historical records and research by maritime experts David Brewster and Commodore (Retd.) Ranjit Rai.

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A Coup Plot And India’s Naval Response

During the Cold War, Seychelles occupied a strategically important position in the western Indian Ocean, making it a focal point for global geopolitical competition.

In June 1986, Indian intelligence reportedly received information about an alleged coup plot, codenamed Operation Distant Lash, led by Seychelles Defence Minister Ogilvy Berlouis. According to historical accounts, the conspiracy involved around 30 foreign mercenaries and nearly 350 Seychellois supporters.

Following an appeal from President René, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi reportedly instructed Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R.H. Tahiliani to provide assistance to the Seychelles government.

Coincidentally, the Indian Navy frigate INS Vindhyagiri was already scheduled to visit Port Victoria.

Instead of departing after its planned port call, the frigate reportedly developed a deliberately staged engineering problem, allowing it to remain anchored in the harbour. Soon afterwards, a senior Indian naval officer arrived in Seychelles on a commercial flight to coordinate the mission, while an engineering team trained in combat operations remained on standby.

For nearly two weeks, INS Vindhyagiri maintained a visible presence in Port Victoria, conducting helicopter sorties and naval exercises. According to Brewster and Rai, the Indian naval deployment alone was sufficient to deter the alleged coup plotters, who abandoned their plans without any military confrontation.

Rajiv Gandhi’s Aircraft And Sari Disguise

The political crisis resurfaced barely two months later while President René was attending the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Indian and Soviet intelligence agencies reportedly learned of another coup attempt while René was overseas. To ensure his safe return, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi offered the Indian Prime Minister’s official aircraft to fly the Seychellois leader back to his country ahead of schedule.

According to accounts of the operation, René landed in Seychelles under the cover of darkness and left the airport disguised in a traditional Indian sari to avoid detection. He was received by the Indian High Commissioner before returning to the presidential palace and re-establishing control over the government.

Following the failed coup attempt, Defence Minister Ogilvy Berlouis and several other alleged conspirators were removed from office. Berlouis later went into exile in London.

Foundation of India’s Indian Ocean Security Role

Security experts regard Operation Flowers Are Blooming as one of India’s earliest and most successful overseas security interventions.

The mission demonstrated New Delhi’s willingness to act swiftly to protect a friendly government in the Indian Ocean and is widely viewed as a precursor to Operation Cactus in the Maldives in 1988, when Indian forces foiled another coup attempt.

The covert operation also marked the beginning of India’s evolution as a regional security provider—a role that has expanded over the decades and now forms a key pillar of its MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision for maritime security, stability and cooperation across the Indian Ocean.

About the Author

Saurabh VermaSenior Sub-editor

Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Chief Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

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