The United Kingdom has reached a deal with Mauritius to give up sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including the strategic military base on Diego Garcia. The agreement allows for the displaced population from decades ago to return home, while the UK retains use of the military base. The UK government stated that the operation of the military base was protected by the agreement, strengthening global security and safeguarding against illegal migration routes to the UK.
The Chagos Islands were detached from Mauritius in 1965 by the UK to create the British Indian Ocean Territory, which it has controlled since 1814. In the early 1970s, the UK evicted almost 2,000 residents to make way for a US airbase on Diego Garcia, which it had leased to the US in 1966. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2019 that the UK should give up control of the islands and cited wrongful displacement of the population in the 1970s.
The agreement between Britain and Mauritius has the support of the US and India and is seen as a way to open a new chapter in their shared history. It is expected to lead to increased economic development, security, and environmental partnership between the two nations. The UK will provide financial support to Mauritius to implement projects that boost economic development. Both countries will also collaborate on issues such as environmental protection, maritime security, and combating drugs and people trafficking.
The deal secures the future of the Diego Garcia military base, ensuring the UK’s role in safeguarding global security and maintaining its long-term relationship with Mauritius. The arrangement allows for the resettlement of the rest of the Chagos Islands by Mauritius after the displaced population is able to return home. The joint statement by Britain and Mauritius highlights the significance of the agreement in fostering economic, security, and environmental partnerships between the two nations.
This agreement marks a significant shift in the relationship between the UK and Mauritius, providing a legal framework for the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius. It addresses past injustices in the forced displacement of the population in the 1970s and sets the stage for a new era of cooperation between the two countries. The involvement of the US and India in supporting the agreement further underscores the importance of the deal in enhancing regional security and stability in the Indian Ocean.
