Source: LM
Context: The United Kingdom has officially agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending decades of British control.
About Chagos Islands:
- Location:
- The Chagos Archipelago consists of over 60 small islands located in the central Indian Ocean, south of the Maldives, and east of Seychelles.
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- The largest island, Diego Garcia, hosts a key US-UK military base.
- Previous Control:
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- The islands were under British rule since 1814, ceded by France.
- In 1965, the UK separated Chagos from Mauritius, forming the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) before Mauritius gained independence in 1968.
- Strategic Significance:
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- Diego Garcia has served as a critical logistics and intelligence base for US military operations in West Asia, South Asia, and East Africa.
- It has hosted over 2,500 personnel, nuclear-capable aircraft, and surveillance systems.
About UK–Mauritius Chagos Sovereignty Deal (2025):
- After a UK High Court ruling, England Prime Minister signed a treaty handing sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
- The deal includes a 99-year lease of Diego Garcia to the UK and US for continued military use.
- The UK will pay Mauritius approximately £101 million/year, totalling billions over the lease period.
- Significance:
- Marks the completion of Mauritius’s decolonisation process.
- Balances sovereignty claims with strategic military requirements of Western allies.
- Seen as a “win-win”—recognising Mauritian control while maintaining UK-US security presence.
India’s Official Stance: India has consistently supported Mauritius’s claim over Chagos in line with its principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and international law.
