The United Kingdom government has announced that it is relinquishing sovereignty of a remote but strategically important cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean, one of its last overseas territories. After more than half a century, a deal has been reached to hand over the Chagos Islands known as British Indian Ocean, including the tropical atoll of Diego Garcia, to Mauritius in a historic move. Diego Garcia has been used by the UK-US government as a military base for navy ships and long-range bomber aircraft. The announcement, made in a joint statement by the UK and Mauritian Prime Ministers, marks the end of decades of often challenging negotiations between the two countries.
However, the US-UK military base will remain on Diego Garcia, a key factor that enabled the deal to proceed at a time of growing geopolitical rivalries in the region between Western countries, India, and China.
The agreement underpins the UK’s steadfast duty to keep the country safe, with the operation of the military base unchanged, in an increasingly volatile world. The agreement is strongly supported by international partners including the United States, which has joint operation of the strategic military base, as stated in the UK government’s official announcement.
UK 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. 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.”
The deal is still subject to finalisation of a treaty, but both sides have promised to complete it as quickly as possible.
“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,” the statement from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth read.
The UK has agreed to provide financial support to Mauritius, including annual payments and infrastructure investment. Mauritius can also start a resettlement program on the Chagos Islands, excluding Diego Garcia. The UK will maintain the operation of the military base on Diego Garcia for an “initial period” of 99 years.
Negotiations began under the previous government in 2022. This week’s deal comes after 11 rounds of negotiations with the government earlier and two rounds with the current government.
Implications for India
The agreement ends the uncertainty over the UK’s control over Diego Garcia, ensuring it remains under UK and US control for at least 99 years from the time of the agreement between Mauritius and the UK. This clarity makes it easier for India to utilize the operational facilities at the military base if invited to do so by the US and UK.
Diego Garcia is the largest island in the Chagos archipelago, which comprises over 60 smaller atolls. Chagossians may inhabit some of them in the future.
Mauritius may seek assistance from India to monitor its Exclusive Economic Zone around Chagos.
Chinese IUU fishing is a problem in the region, and China’s intrusive maritime activities in the waters around Chagos may increase.
Mauritius, however, may require capacity-building assistance to enhance its ability to undertake maritime and aeronautical search and rescue in the areas around Chagos. This underscores the potential areas of collaboration and assistance for India in the wake of the UK-Mauritius agreement.
The Marine Protected Area around Chagos restricts the exploitation of enclosed waters for deep-water fishing and trawling. However, Mauritius can benefit economically by harnessing the potential of tourism, artisanal fisheries, and other oceanic activities. Indian companies could benefit from participating in such projects.
According to a highly placed government source, 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 decolonization. At the same time, it consistently encouraged both sides to negotiate with an open mind and to achieve 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.
Ravi Shankar
