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UK hands sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius – response
The UK has announced it will relinquish control of the Chagos Islands, a remote but strategically significant archipelago in the Indian Ocean, after more than 50 years of British rule.
The agreement will see the UK officially hand over the islands to Mauritius, including the tropical atoll of Diego Garcia, home to a key U.S. military base used by navy ships and long-range bomber aircraft. The base has been crucial for both U.S. and UK operations in the region.
The decision was revealed in a joint statement by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, signalling the end of decades of sometimes tense discussions. One critical aspect of the deal is that the U.S.-UK military base on Diego Garcia will remain operational, ensuring its continued strategic importance amid growing tensions between Western nations, India, and China in the region.
While the deal has yet to be formalised through a treaty, both countries have pledged to finalise it swiftly. “This is a landmark moment in our relationship and highlights our commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and adherence to international law,” the joint statement from the two leaders read.
The leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining the long-term security and effectiveness of the Diego Garcia base, which they described as playing a “vital role in regional and global security.”
Additionally, the treaty will address historical grievances, with a focus on supporting the well-being of the Chagossian people, many of whom were forcibly displaced when the islands were first militarised.
