Why in News?
The Chagos Islands were in the news because the White House drafted a proposal to bypass the UK and purchase the islands directly from Mauritius.
Geography and Location
- Strategic Hub: The archipelago consists of 58 islands located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, roughly 500 kilometers south of the Maldives.
- Diego Garcia: This is the largest atoll in the archipelago and serves as a critical, highly sensitive joint U.S.-UK military naval and bomber base.
Historical Context & Colonial Dispute
- The Detachment: Historically part of Mauritius under French and later British colonial rule, the Chagos Islands were separated by the UK in 1965 to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
- Mauritian Independence: When Mauritius gained independence in 1968, the UK retained control of Chagos, paying Mauritius £3 million for the detachment—an arrangement Mauritius later declared illegal under international law.
- Forcible Expulsion: Between 1968 and 1973, the UK forcibly evicted around 2,000 native Chagossians from their homes to make way for the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia, leaving the population in forced exile.
Legal Rulings
- ICJ Opinion (2019): The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the UK's continued administration of the islands was unlawful and that the decolonization of Mauritius remained incomplete. The UN General Assembly backed this decision, ordering the UK to return the islands.
The Paused May 2025 Treaty
- The Terms: To resolve the legal deadlock and avoid being seen as an illegal occupier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a formal treaty with Mauritius in May 2025.
- Sovereignty vs. Lease: The deal recognized Mauritius' complete sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. In exchange, Mauritius agreed to lease Diego Garcia back to the UK for 99 years for £101 million ($136 million) per year so the military base could keep operating.
- China Protections: Under the treaty, Mauritius promised not to allow other foreign powers (such as China) to use the outer Chagos islands without UK approval.
Recent Geopolitical Complications
- US Security Fears: The current Trump administration hardened its stance, viewing the deal as a geopolitical risk. The U.S. fears that Mauritian sovereignty could eventually compromise Western security or allow Chinese influence to creep into the vital maritime corridor.
- Chagossian Rights: Human rights organizations and Chagossian groups continue to protest. While the 2025 treaty allowed native resettlement on the smaller outer islands, it strictly banned Chagossians from ever returning to Diego Garcia, which activists call a continuing crime against humanity.
- India's Position: India has consistently supported Mauritius' legitimate claim over Chagos. India originally welcomed the May 2025 treaty as a positive step toward decolonization and regional stability.
Download Pdf
