UK cedes Chagos Islands to Mauritius after decades of control

The United Kingdom (UK) has relinquished sovereignty of the strategically key Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius, after more than half a century.

The deal, which has been reached after several years of negotiations, will see the UK hand control of the islands to Mauritius. The US-British military base for naval ships and long-range bomber aircraft will, however, remain on Diego Garcia island.

The announcement was made in a joint statement by the UK and Mauritian Prime Ministers.

New Delhi issued a statement acknowledging that the resolution of the longstanding Chagos dispute after two years of negotiations, in compliance with international law, is a welcome development.

“India has consistently supported Mauritius’s claim for sovereignty over Chagos, in line with its principled stand on decolonization and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, as well as its longstanding and close partnership with Mauritius,” India’s ministry of external affairs said.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Mauritius counterpart, Pravind Jugnauth, called it a “seminal moment” in bilateral ties and “a demonstration of enduring commitment to the peaceful resolution and the rule of law.”

Both the leaders said they were committed “to ensure the long-term, secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia, which plays a vital role in regional and global security.”

The treaty will also “address wrongs of the past and demonstrate the commitment of both parties to support the welfare of Chagossians”, it said.

“Today’s agreement secures the vital military base. 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,” British foreign secretary David Lammy said.

UK’s continued control over Chagos, years after Mauritius obtained independence in 1968, drew global criticism. The UK’s sovereign control over the chain of atolls was dubbed as the British government’s last colony in Africa.