On October 3, an agreement was reached between the United Kingdom and Mauritius for the return of the Chagos Islands to Mauritian sovereignty.
Mauritius and the Chagos Islands were both former British colonies, with the Chagos Islands being strategically important. In 1965, just before Mauritian independence, the U.K. created the British Indian Ocean Territory to retain control over the Chagos Islands, sparking protests from Mauritius.
In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that British rule over the Chagos Islands was unlawful, leading to a UN General Assembly vote ordering the U.K. to withdraw within six months.
After years of negotiations, the United Kingdom has agreed to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius and provide financial support for development and assisting the displaced Chagossians.
The agreement is pending finalization of a treaty and legal instruments by both parties.
The issue of Diego Garcia, home to a U.S. military base, remains at the center of the dispute. The base has been crucial in U.S. military operations but came at the cost of displacing the native Chagossians.
Chagossians were forcibly removed in the 1970s and received little assistance. Many continue to demand justice and compensation.
Mauritius can resettle Chagossians on other islands but not on Diego Garcia, which remains under U.K. authority for 99 years.
Critics argue that the agreement does not address the rights of the Chagossians for justice and reparations.
The U.K. government sees the agreement as securing the status of the base on Diego Garcia after 50 years.
The joint statement mentions support from the U.S. and India in reaching the agreement.
The U.S. and India welcomed the agreement, emphasizing diplomatic partnerships and support for sovereignty.
India’s strong defense partnership with Mauritius includes constructing a naval base on North Agalega Island.