Chagos Islands

Source: LM

Context: The United Kingdom has officially agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending decades of British control.

About Chagos Islands:

• Location: The Chagos Archipelago consists of over 60 small islands located in the central Indian Ocean, south of the Maldives, and east of Seychelles.

• The Chagos Archipelago consists of over 60 small islands located in the central Indian Ocean, south of the Maldives, and east of Seychelles.

• The largest island, Diego Garcia, hosts a key US-UK military base.

• Previous Control:

• The islands were under British rule since 1814, ceded by France. In 1965, the UK separated Chagos from Mauritius, forming the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) before Mauritius gained independence in 1968.

• The islands were under British rule since 1814, ceded by France.

• In 1965, the UK separated Chagos from Mauritius, forming the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) before Mauritius gained independence in 1968.

• Strategic Significance:

• Diego Garcia has served as a critical logistics and intelligence base for US military operations in West Asia, South Asia, and East Africa. It has hosted over 2,500 personnel, nuclear-capable aircraft, and surveillance systems.

• Diego Garcia has served as a critical logistics and intelligence base for US military operations in West Asia, South Asia, and East Africa.

• It has hosted over 2,500 personnel, nuclear-capable aircraft, and surveillance systems.

About UK–Mauritius Chagos Sovereignty Deal (2025):

• After a UK High Court ruling, England Prime Minister signed a treaty handing sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

• The deal includes a 99-year lease of Diego Garcia to the UK and US for continued military use.

• The UK will pay Mauritius approximately £101 million/year, totalling billions over the lease period.

• Significance:

• Marks the completion of Mauritius’s decolonisation process.

• Balances sovereignty claims with strategic military requirements of Western allies.

• Seen as a “win-win”—recognising Mauritian control while maintaining UK-US security presence.

India’s Official Stance: India has consistently supported Mauritius’s claim over Chagos in line with its principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and international law.