The UK and Mauritius have confirmed “good progress” in talks over sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. In a joint statement, the two countries said they were committed to reaching an agreement that would give Mauritius sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.
Chagos Archipelago
Geographical location
The Chagos Archipelago is located in the central Indian Ocean, about 500 kilometres south of the Maldives and about 1,600 kilometres south-west of India.
It consists of 58 islands, of which Diego Garcia is the largest and most important.
Colonial history
- The Chagos Islands were discovered in the 16th century by Portuguese sailors, who mapped and named some of the islands.
- The Dutch then explored the islands but made no attempt to settle here.
- Later, these islands came under French control, along with Mauritius and Réunion, and France gave additional names to these islands.
- France brought slave labour from Madagascar and Mozambique to work in coconut plantations. This was followed by labour from South India.
- After Napoleon’s defeat, Britain took control of Chagos and Mauritius.
- In 1814, France ceded these islands to Britain.
Major agreements and conventions related to the Chagos Archipelago
British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) formation (1965)
- UK established BIOT, separating Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius.
- Mauritius received £3 million in compensation in return.
UK-US Agreement, Diego Garcia (1966):
- The UK and US entered into a defence agreement, making the BIOT available for military purposes.
- Diego Garcia became an important military base.
- The Chagossians were raped, and resettled in Mauritius and the UK.
UN and ICJ involvement
- 2017: The UN General Assembly asked the ICJ for an opinion on the legal status of the islands.
- 2019: The ICJ ruled the UK’s administration of the islands illegal and ordered it to withdraw within six months.
UK-Mauritius Agreement (2023)
- Mauritius and the UK reached an agreement on the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago.
- The UK renounced its claims, allowing Mauritius to implement a resettlement programme on the islands (except for Diego Garcia).
- The UK will retain sovereignty over Diego Garcia for 99 years, and a new trust fund will be created for the Chagossians.
Importance of the Chagos Archipelago
- Geostrategic location: It is located in the central Indian Ocean, helping monitor major shipping routes and regional security, and is important for the projection of military power.
- UK-US military base: The military base in Diego Garcia plays a key role in logistics, surveillance and intelligence operations for both countries, especially in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
- Environment and biodiversity: The rich marine life and pristine environment of the Chagos Archipelago is important for scientific research and conservation.