BBC News speaks to Chagossians – some praise the move, others criticise the UK government for them not having a say in negotiations:
“Every time we made a request to be heard we have been excluded,” she said, claiming UK officials said the Chagossian community could not be involved in negotiations between the two countries.
“Today, again, we’ve been excluded,” the 34-year-old postgraduate student told the BBC.
“We need to respect the rights of indigenous people.”
Ms Nellan said she would like to go back to the islands, but not under Mauritius’ control.
“Our right to self-determination – whether we want to be British citizens or Mauritian citizens at all – has been stripped today,” she said.