The Crossbill News Desk
India has welcomed the United Kingdom's decision to return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritian sovereignty, following a landmark agreement that ensures the continued operation of the strategic US military base at Diego Garcia.
On Thursday, October 3, the UK and Mauritius released a joint statement announcing plans to finalize a treaty recognizing Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, while allowing Diego Garcia’s military base to remain operational. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs praised the agreement, in a statement released on the same say.
“We welcome the agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, including Diego Garcia. This significant understanding completes the decolonisation of Mauritius. The resolution of the longstanding Chagos dispute after two years of negotiations, in compliance with international law, is a welcome development,” the statement read.
“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,” the statement added.
The statement further emphasized India's commitment to working with Mauritius and other partners to bolster maritime safety, security, and peace in the Indian Ocean region.
The UK had separated the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence. The US subsequently leased Diego Garcia from the UK to establish a military base, a move India opposed from the beginning. The lease was renewed in 2016 for 20 more years.
In 2017, India supported a UN General Assembly resolution requesting an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of the UK’s possession of the archipelago. The ICJ ruled in 2018 that the UK’s occupation violated international law, recognizing Mauritius as the rightful owner. India had intervened on behalf of Mauritius at the ICJ and also supported the General Assembly's resolution calling for the implementation of the ICJ's opinion.
The political agreement reached on Thursday followed 11 rounds of negotiations between the UK and Mauritius since 2022. Under the agreement, the UK will recognize Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, while ensuring the long-term, secure operation of the military base. For an initial period of 99 years, the UK will be authorized to exercise certain sovereign rights over Diego Garcia to maintain the base’s effective operation.
The joint statement acknowledged the support of the United States and India, with Indian officials noting that India played a quiet but significant role in the negotiations. India's backing of Mauritius’s position on decolonization, along with its encouragement for both sides to reach a mutually beneficial outcome, was crucial in the process.
On Thursday, October 3, the UK and Mauritius released a joint statement announcing plans to finalize a treaty recognizing Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, while allowing Diego Garcia’s military base to remain operational. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs praised the agreement, in a statement released on the same say.
“We welcome the agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, including Diego Garcia. This significant understanding completes the decolonisation of Mauritius. The resolution of the longstanding Chagos dispute after two years of negotiations, in compliance with international law, is a welcome development,” the statement read.
“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,” the statement added.
The statement further emphasized India's commitment to working with Mauritius and other partners to bolster maritime safety, security, and peace in the Indian Ocean region.
The UK had separated the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence. The US subsequently leased Diego Garcia from the UK to establish a military base, a move India opposed from the beginning. The lease was renewed in 2016 for 20 more years.
In 2017, India supported a UN General Assembly resolution requesting an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of the UK’s possession of the archipelago. The ICJ ruled in 2018 that the UK’s occupation violated international law, recognizing Mauritius as the rightful owner. India had intervened on behalf of Mauritius at the ICJ and also supported the General Assembly's resolution calling for the implementation of the ICJ's opinion.
The political agreement reached on Thursday followed 11 rounds of negotiations between the UK and Mauritius since 2022. Under the agreement, the UK will recognize Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, while ensuring the long-term, secure operation of the military base. For an initial period of 99 years, the UK will be authorized to exercise certain sovereign rights over Diego Garcia to maintain the base’s effective operation.
The joint statement acknowledged the support of the United States and India, with Indian officials noting that India played a quiet but significant role in the negotiations. India's backing of Mauritius’s position on decolonization, along with its encouragement for both sides to reach a mutually beneficial outcome, was crucial in the process.
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