The United Kingdom and Mauritius have finalized a political agreement granting Mauritius sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, which includes the strategically significant Diego Garcia military base.
Why Chagos Islands Matter: Key Points
- The Archipelago
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- The Chagos Archipelago consists of 58 islands, located about 500 km south of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
- Originally uninhabited, the islands were colonized in the 18th century by France, which used them for slave labor.
- In 1814, France ceded the islands to the British, and in 1965, the UK created the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), including the Chagos Islands.
- Strategic Military Base
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- The UK till now retained sovereignty over the Chagos Islands because of the strategic importance of Diego Garcia, the largest island.
- Diego Garcia became a key US military base in 1986 and is critical for American operations, particularly in West Asia, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror.
- Diego Garcia provides access to monitor the Malacca Strait, vital for global trade, especially with China.
- UK-Mauritius Treaty Significance
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- Mauritius has long claimed that the UK illegally occupies the Chagos Islands and raised the issue in international forums:
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- In 2017, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution demanding the UK’s withdrawal from the islands within six months.
- In 2023, the UK and Mauritius reached an agreement allowing the UK to maintain its military presence on Diego Garcia for 99 years while ceding other islands in the archipelago.
- Broader Implications
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- The resolution of the dispute affects international partnerships, with countries like China maintaining close relations with Mauritius.
- As India supports Mauritius’ sovereignty claims, the resolution could influence India’s partnerships in the Western Indian Ocean.
The agreement on Chagos sovereignty not only fulfills Mauritius’ longstanding aspirations but also balances strategic interests in the Indian Ocean. This shift may reshape alliances and influence regional dynamics, with countries like India and China closely observing the impact on security and partnerships.
