60 years later, Britain returns Chagos islands to Mauritius
Ends dispute, will hold on to Diego Gargia military base
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In a strategically vital development in the Indian Ocean, the UK has announced it had settled a 60-year-old sovereignty dispute with Mauritius over ownership of the Chagos islands.
Under the deal announced today, the UK will hand over rights of British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) named Chagos archipelago to Mauritius, however, it will retain full control over the Diego Garcia a military base on the southern-most island of the archipelago.
A statement from the UK foreign office read, “Mauritius (will) assume sovereignty over BIOT, with the UK authorised to exercise sovereign rights on Diego Garcia”.
This political agreement is subject to a treaty and supporting legal instruments being finalised. Both sides had committed to complete this as quickly as possible, the UK said.
The US and UK operate military assets out of Diego Garcia, located some 1,800 km south-west of Kerala.
Indian warships and military planes can refuel and restock supplies at the base as India and US have an agreement to seamlessly share logistics.
The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said India welcomed the agreement. “This significant understanding completes the decolonisation of Mauritius,” it added. India, that had a close partnership with Mauritius, had consistently supported Mauritian claim for sovereignty over Chagos, the MEA said.
The UK foreign office said, “The deal ensures long-term secure operation of the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.” The status of the base had been disputed with Mauritius claiming ownership of the Chagos, a clutch of islands spread across 30 sq km.
UK controlled region since 1814
UK has controlled the region since 1814. It detached the Chagos Islands in 1965 from Mauritius — a former colony that became independent in 1968 — to create the British Indian Ocean Territory
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Welcoming the decision, the MEA said this significant understanding completed decolonisation of Mauritius
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