UK cedes Chagos Islands' sovereignty to Mauritius, keeps base; India hails deal

• BRITAIN agreed to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands — an archipelago of over 60 islands in the Indian Ocean — to Mauritius.

Highlights:

• On October 3, 2024, Britain agreed to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, a strategically important archipelago in the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius.
• This historic agreement secures the future of the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the chain. For the first time in over 50 years, the base's status will be undisputed and legally secure.

Key Points of the Agreement:

• Sovereignty Transfer: The UK will cede sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, to Mauritius under a formal treaty.
• Military Base Security: The agreement ensures that the UK and US military base on Diego Garcia will continue operating securely for at least 99 years. The UK will exercise Mauritius's sovereign rights over Diego Garcia to ensure this.
• International Cooperation: The agreement highlights the cooperation between the UK, Mauritius, the US, and India, with India playing a significant background role in encouraging negotiations.

India's Role:

• India welcomed the agreement, framing it as the completion of Mauritius's decolonization. Indian sources revealed that India quietly supported Mauritius while encouraging both sides to reach a mutually beneficial resolution.
• The joint UK-Mauritius statement acknowledged India’s contribution, and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs reaffirmed India's commitment to supporting maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.

Historical Context:

• Colonial History: Britain has controlled the Chagos Islands since 1814. In 1965, it detached the islands from Mauritius before granting Mauritius independence. In the 1970s, Britain evicted about 2,000 residents to establish the Diego Garcia military base, which it leased to the US.
• Legal Disputes: Over the years, the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago had been contested in international courts, challenging the legitimacy of British control and the establishment of the military base.

Future of Diego Garcia and Chagos Islanders:

• The agreement ensures that Mauritius can resettle the Chagossians on islands other than Diego Garcia. The UK will also establish a trust fund to support the welfare of the Chagossians. However, Diego Garcia itself will remain under military control for the foreseeable future, ensuring its vital role in regional and global security.

Geopolitical Implications:

• Security Interests: The UK and US have emphasized the strategic importance of Diego Garcia for global security, particularly in the face of rising geopolitical tensions in the Indian Ocean region, notably China’s growing influence.
• Environmental and Maritime Cooperation: The UK and Mauritius will collaborate on issues such as environmental protection, maritime security, and combating illegal fishing and irregular migration in the Chagos Archipelago.

Prelims Takeaways:

• The Chagos Archipelago