Context: The United Kingdom has officially agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending decades of British control.
About the Chagos Islands
Location
- The Chagos Archipelago consists of over 60 small islands in the central Indian Ocean, south of the Maldives and east of Seychelles.
- The largest island, Diego Garcia, hosts a key US‑UK military base.
Previous Control
- Under British rule since 1814, ceded by France.
- In 1965, the UK separated Chagos from Mauritius to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) before Mauritius’s 1968 independence.
Strategic Significance
- Diego Garcia serves as a critical logistics and intelligence base for US operations in West Asia, South Asia, and East Africa.
- Hosts over 2,500 personnel, nuclear-capable aircraft, and advanced surveillance systems.
About the UK–Mauritius Chagos Sovereignty Deal (2025)
- Following a UK High Court ruling, the UK Prime Minister signed a treaty handing sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
- The agreement provides a 99‑year lease of Diego Garcia to the UK and US for continued military use.
- The UK will pay Mauritius approximately £101 million per year, totaling billions over the lease term.
Significance of the Deal
- Completes Mauritius’s decolonisation process.
- Balances Mauritian sovereignty with strategic military requirements of UK and US allies.
- Viewed as a “win‑win,” recognising Mauritian control while maintaining security presence.
- India’s Official Stance: India supports Mauritius’s claim, consistent with its principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and international law.
Conclusion
The UK‑Mauritius Chagos sovereignty transfer marks a historic resolution of a long‑standing colonial dispute while safeguarding Western strategic interests through a 99‑year lease of Diego Garcia. This outcome finalises Mauritius’s decolonisation and underscores evolving geopolitics in the Indian Ocean region.
