UK To Hand Over Disputed Chagos Islands To Mauritius, But US-UK Military Base There To Continue

Mauritius, with support from India, was able to secure a historic deal with the UK. Under the deal, US will continue to operate its military base in Diego Garcia in Chagos atoll for 99 years.

New Delhi: In a major geopolitical move that will intensify strategic competition in the Indian Ocean with China watching the developments closely, the United Kingdom and Mauritius Thursday signed a historic deal under which Port Louis will regain control of the Chagos atoll while the United States as well as the UK will continue their presence in Diego Garcia – the largest island in this territory – as one of their crucial military bases.

“Following two years of negotiation, this is a seminal moment in our relationship and a demonstration of our enduring commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and the rule of law,” said a joint UK-Mauritius statement.

It added, “Negotiations have been conducted in a constructive and respectful manner, as equal sovereign States, on the basis of international law, and with the intention of resolving all outstanding issues between the United Kingdom and Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago, including those relating to its former inhabitants.”

This follows a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in which Mauritius won the sovereignty of Chagos atoll and denounced UK’s control over the place. The ICJ had also slammed the UK for forcing the local population of Chagossians to vacate the place so that the US can build a military base there.

The agreement that was reached Wednesday is subject to finalisation of a legally bound treaty, the talks for which is expected to be concluded soon.

According to the joint statement, under the terms of the proposed treaty the UK will agree that Mauritius has sovereign rights over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. However, both Mauritius as well as the UK will give its consent under the treaty that the military base in Diego Garcia will continue to be operated, as it “plays a vital role in regional and global security.”   

“For an initial period of 99 years, the United Kingdom will be authorised to exercise with respect to Diego Garcia the sovereign rights and authorities of Mauritius required to ensure the continued operation of the base well into the next century,” the joint statement added.

Mauritius can now initiate the process of resettlement of Chagossians, who were forced to relocate from there. But they will not be allowed to go back to Diego Garcia. The UK will also be helping in the process by way of creation of a trust fund.

Lauding the deal, US President Joe Biden said, “Diego Garcia is the site of a joint U.S.-UK military facility that plays a vital role in national, regional, and global security. It enables the United States to support operations that demonstrate our shared commitment to regional stability, provide rapid response to crises, and counter some of the most challenging security threats we face.”

The US government utilises Diego Garcia base for its warships and bomber aircraft. The base played a crucial role during US military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Diego Garcia Becoming ‘Illegal’ Migration Route To UK

The UK government said in a separate press release that both parties agreed to secure the strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia under a 99-year lease since the Indian Ocean military base plays “a crucial role in regional stability and international security.”

“For the first time in more than 50 years, the status of the base will be undisputed and legally secure, following a political agreement between the UK and Mauritius,” the UK said.

According to the UK, Diego Garcia was becoming a transit route for illegal migration to their country.

“Diego Garcia has also seen a small number of vulnerable migrants arrive since 2021, subsequently launching asylum claims. The agreement will shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK, with Mauritius taking responsibility for any future arrivals,” the UK said.

UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy said, “This government inherited a situation where the long-term, secure operation of the Diego Garcia military base was under threat, with contested sovereignty and ongoing legal challenges.”

He added, “Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future. It will strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK, as well as guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a close Commonwealth partner.”

India’s Role Behind The Deal

According to the joint statement, in resolving all outstanding issues between the UK and Mauritius, the treaty will open a new chapter in our shared history, one which will continue to be based on mutual respect and trust as close Commonwealth partners committed to the security and prosperity of the Indian Ocean Region. 

“In reaching today’s political agreement, we have enjoyed the full support and assistance of our close partners, the United States of America and the Republic of India,” it said.

“India played a quiet but important role in the background. It firmly backed the principled Mauritian position, supporting its stance on the need to do away with the last vestiges of decolonisation,” said an official source.

The source also said, “India consistently encouraged both sides to negotiate with an open mind and with a view to achieving mutually beneficial outcomes. It is believed that the final outcome is a win for all sides involved and will reinforce long term security in the Indian Ocean region.”

The Chagos archipelago, located in the central Indian Ocean and consisting of seven atolls comprising over 60 islands, is located 1600-km south of the Indian subcontinent. 

Recalling the historic vote at the United Nations in June 2017 on this matter, Mauritian PM Pravind Jugnauth said 94 countries had voted in favour of Mauritius’ sovereignty over the archipelago.

Chagos was administered by the UK as part of Mauritius until 1965. Before Mauritius gained independence in 1968, the UK separated the Chagos Islands and created the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).

In 1966, the UK leased Diego Garcia to the US, allowing the establishment of a major military base on the island.

Chagossians ‘Deplore’ Exclusion From Talks

Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the Chagossian Voices, a UK-based community organisation, said they were not included in the ongoing negotiations concerning their homeland that were held between the British and Mauritian governments.

“Chagossian Voices deplore the exclusion of the Chagossian community from the negotiations which have produced this statement of intent concerning the sovereignty of our homeland,” it said in a statement issued after the agreement was announced.

It also said, “Chagossians learned this outcome from the media and remain powerless and voiceless in determining our own future and the future of our homeland. The views of Chagossians, the Indigenous inhabitants of the islands, have been consistently and deliberately ignored and we demand full inclusion in the drafting of the treaty.”