The UK government has agreed to transfer sovereignty of the disputed Chagos Islands to Mauritius, in an effort to secure the future of a crucial UK-U.S. military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The agreement was announced by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who emphasised the significance of maintaining the military base at Diego Garcia, which plays a key role in global security operations.
The military base, housing around 2,500 predominantly American personnel, has been involved in various military campaigns, including the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The UK government underlined that without this agreement, the operation of the military base would face threats due to legal challenges and contested sovereignty issues. As part of the deal, the UK will retain sovereignty of Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year period.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman confirmed that discussions were held with Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth to finalise the agreement, which will be formalised through a treaty once all legal processes are completed. The Chagos Islands, previously part of the British Indian Ocean Territory since 1965, will now be under Mauritian sovereignty, following a complex historical background.
The US Navy base at Diego Garcia, established in the 1970s, serves as a critical centre for security operations in the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa. The base was constructed after displacing approximately 1,500 inhabitants from the Chagos Islands, a move criticised by Human Rights Watch as “crimes against humanity.” The Mauritian government expressed hopes that the agreement will address past injustices, including the displacement of Chagossians.
The agreement also aims to pave the way for the possible return of displaced Chagossians and their descendants, who are mainly residing in the UK, Mauritius, and the Seychelles. The UK government has pledged financial support for the Chagossians, who have long fought legal battles over their displacement. The measure is seen as a positive step towards rectifying historical wrongs and fostering a stronger relationship between the UK and Mauritius.
The decision to transfer sovereignty over most of the Chagos Islands has stirred mixed reactions, with Conservative lawmakers expressing concerns over the move. However, the agreement has garnered support from various international quarters, with the White House praising the agreement as historic and essential for global security interests. The ongoing developments reflect a significant shift in the geopolitics of the Indian Ocean region.