Operation Cactus Explained: This is how Indian Armed Forced Saved Democracy in Maldives in 1988, Best UPSC Questions

But, the President of Maldives Mohammed Muizzu, have taken a opposite route and went to China for help. However, China is famous for trapping poor and small countries in Death-Trap of heavy loans and blackmailing them to get their lands.

President Muizzu’s this action has sparked a trending hashtag known as #OperationCactus on Platform X. Now there are many people or aspirants who are preparing for major competitive examination in India, who wants to know about All Details of Operation Cactus of 1988. If you are one of them, then in this blog of precrack, we will help you to know Everything About Operation Cactus 1988.

So, let’s start-

The current situation started when the Maldivian President visited the Republic of China, seeking assistance in boosting Chinese tourism to the Maldives. After facing a strong reaction from India due to derogatory remarks by three Maldivian Ministers on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and their visit to the Indian island of Lakshadweep, President Muizzu subsequently visited China to seek assistance in attracting more tourists from the Chinese market.

In response of a social media uproar ensued on Platform X, with hashtags such as #BoycottMaldives, #SupportLakshadweep, and #ChaloLakshadweep trending. Faced with a backlash and a boycott from Indian tourists, President Muizzu turned to China, requesting increased tourism from the Republic.

The situation escalated when President Muizzu, in a bold move, demanded the removal of remaining Indian soldiers from Maldives soil by March 15, 2024, asserting, “You Can’t Bully Us.” This strained the diplomatic relations between India and Maldives, leading the island nation to explore alternative trading partners for medicines and other necessities.

The resurgence of Operation Cactus in the news is significant because it serves as a historical reference point for India and Indians. The operation, conducted in 1988, saw Indian Armed Forces, including the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, intervening to save Maldives’ democracy during a coup attempt.

As tensions rise in the region, the mention of Operation Cactus serves as a reminder of the past cooperation between India and Maldives during times of crisis, emphasizing the historical context and implications of the current diplomatic strain.

In a swift and decisive response, the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force deployed forces to neutralize the insurgents and secure the Maldivian government. The operation successfully thwarted the coup and upheld the democratic government in the Maldives.

Operation Cactus remains a notable example of India’s intervention to preserve regional stability and protect the sovereignty of a neighboring nation.

The Maldives’ president asked India for help, and India quickly sent its Navy and Air Force to stop the rebels. They did a great job, and the coup attempt failed.

The Indian Armed Forces protected the Maldives’ government, and everything went back to normal. This operation, called Operation Cactus, is an important event because it shows how countries can help each other in difficult times to keep peace and protect democracy.

Source – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_Maldives_coup_attempt

The rebels swiftly gained control of key installations in the capital, Malé, prompting President Gayoom to seek international assistance.

Facing refusals from neighboring countries, President Gayoom turned to India, which responded promptly to the plea for help. Operation Cactus witnessed the deployment of 500 Indian paratroopers, including the 50th Independent Parachute Brigade, airlifted by Ilyushin Il-76 planes.

The Indian forces, supported by the Maldivian National Security Service, swiftly neutralized the rebels, rescuing President Gayoom and restoring control within hours.

The operation resulted in 19 casualties, including hostages and rebels, with several mercenaries captured. Operation Cactus received international acclaim, with U.S. President Ronald Reagan lauding India’s contribution to regional stability. This swift and decisive military intervention not only safeguarded democracy in the Maldives but also left a lasting legacy as a symbol of regional cooperation and the preservation of democratic principles.

1. Saving Democracy: Operation Cactus helped save the way the Maldives’ government works, called democracy.
2. Quick and Strong Action: India acted fast and strong to stop bad people from taking over in the Maldives.
3. Keeping Nearby Places Safe: By stopping the bad people, Operation Cactus kept the places around the Maldives safe and secure.
4. Stopping Others from Interfering: The operation made sure that no other countries could come and cause trouble in the Maldives.
5. Helping Neighbors: It showed how countries nearby can work together to help each other when there’s a problem.
6. No Foreign Military Bases: Operation Cactus made sure that no other countries could put their military bases in the Maldives.
7. People Liked India’s Help: Many people and leaders around the world said good things about India helping the Maldives.
8. India’s Strong Army: The operation showed that India’s army is powerful and can protect its friends when needed.
9. Remembered in Diplomacy: The operation is still remembered as an important event in how countries talk and work together.
10. Helping People Stay Safe: Most importantly, Operation Cactus made sure that the people in the Maldives were safe and not in danger anymore.

Under Indian pressure, President Gayoom commuted the initially passed death sentences to life imprisonment for the captured individuals.

The central figure behind the 1988 coup attempt was Abdullah Luthufi, a once-prominent Maldivian businessperson who was later found operating a farm in Sri Lanka. Former Maldivian President Ibrahim Nasir faced accusations in connection to the coup but consistently denied any involvement.

In a notable turn of events in July 1990, President Gayoom officially pardoned Nasir in absentia, recognizing his role in securing Maldives’ independence.

One of the lasting impacts of Operation Cactus was the strengthening of Indo-Maldivian relations. The successful restoration of the Gayoom government through the operation fostered a sense of cooperation and mutual understanding between India and the Maldives.

The diplomatic ties between the two nations were positively influenced by the joint effort to preserve democracy in the Maldives and the subsequent legal proceedings against the coup plotters.

Following Operation Cactus in November 1988, India received praise globally for its role in thwarting the coup attempt in the Maldives. United States President Ronald Reagan appreciated India’s action, describing it as a valuable contribution to regional stability. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank God for India: President Gayoom’s government has been saved.”

However, the intervention did cause some concerns among India’s neighboring countries in South Asia. Despite the positive acknowledgment internationally, the involvement raised certain worries among neighboring nations in the South Asian region.

जिस समय मालदीवी बगावती दलों द्वारा तख्तापलट का नेतृत्व किया जा रहा था, उस समय उनका मुख्य नेता अब्दुल्लाह लुथूफी था, और वह तमिल ईलम के लोगो का समर्थन प्राप्त करके और अधिक ताकतवर हो गया था। इस बागावत का उद्देश्य राष्ट्रपति मौमून अब्दुल गयूम की सरकार को गिराना था। बगावती दल ने तेजी से माले, मालदीव की राजधानी के महत्वपूर्ण स्थानों पर कब्जा कर लिया। बगावती दलों के इस कार्य ने राष्ट्रपति गयूम को अंतरराष्ट्रीय सहायता की मांग करने पर मजबूर किया।

पड़ोसी देशों में लगभग सभी ने इस फट्टे में टांग अडाने से मन कर दिया। सभी के इनकार का सामना करते हुए, राष्ट्रपति गयूम ने भारत की ओर गुहार लगाईं। भारत ने त्वरित रूप से सहायता के लिए आग्रह का समर्थन करते हुए प्रतिक्रिया की।

ऑपरेशन कैक्टस में भारतीय वायुसेना ने 500 से अधिक फौजी, जिसमें 50वीं स्वतंत्र पेराट्रूपर ब्रिगेड शामिल थी, को Ilyushin Il-76 विमानों के साथ मालदीव की ओर प्रस्थान किया। भारतीय बलों ने मालदीवी राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा सेवा के समर्थन से तेजी से बागावती दल को नष्ट कर दिया, राष्ट्रपति गयूम को बचाया और कुछ घंटों में नियंत्रण को पुनर्स्थापित किया।

ऑपरेशन कैक्टस के  दौरान 19 लोगों की मौत हुई, जिसमें बंधक और बगावती दल के सदस्य, दोनों समाहित हैं। ऑपरेशन कैक्टस ने अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर प्रशंसा प्राप्त की, जिसमें संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति रोनाल्ड रीगन ने भारत के क्षेत्रीय स्थिरता के प्रयास में किये गए योगदान की प्रशंसा की। यह त्वरित और निर्णयकारी सैन्य हस्तक्षेप ने मालदीव में लोकतंत्र की रक्षा की ही नहीं, बल्कि यह क्षेत्रीय सहयोग और लोकतंत्र के सिद्धांतों के संरक्षण के प्रतीक के रूप में एक लम्बे समय के लिए अपनी छाप भी छोड़ी।

Founded in 1980 by Uma Maheswaran, PLOTE emerged after a bitter rivalry with Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). PLOTE was initially involved in conflict with the LTTE.

In the late 1980s, PLOTE attempted to overthrow the government of Maldives in collaboration with mercenaries, but the coup was foiled with assistance from the Indian Army and Navy. There were suggestions that PLOTE may have been promised a Maldivian island as a base.

PLOTE gradually lost strength due to conflicts with the LTTE. Uma Maheswaran, its founder, was assassinated in 1989. Currently, PLOTE functions as a pro-government minor political party under the leadership of D. Siddarthan. It has been alleged to cooperate with the Sri Lankan military against LTTE sympathizers.

Some former members of PLOTE also work alongside the Sri Lankan Army as a paramilitary group engaged in military activities against the LTTE. The organization has been implicated in torture, as documented by Human Rights Watch.