Why in news:- India has reaffirmed its stance on Chagos islands before PMs visit to Mauritius
Background of the Chagos Issue
- The Chagos Archipelago is a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, historically part of Mauritius.
- In 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence from Britain, the UK separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
- Between 1967-1973, the UK forcibly removed the native Chagossians and leased the largest island, Diego Garcia, to the United States, where a major military base was built.
- In October 2024, the United Kingdom and Mauritius reached a significant agreement concerning the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago
Key Elements of the 2024 Agreement:
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Sovereignty Transfer: The UK agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. However, the island of Diego Garcia, which hosts a strategic UK-US military base, will remain under British administration for at least 99 years, ensuring the base’s continued operation.
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Resettlement Provisions: The agreement allows for the resettlement of Chagossians to islands other than Diego Garcia. A fund has been established to support this resettlement process.
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Financial Arrangements: Mauritius will receive annual payments from the UK, linked to the lease of Diego Garcia for military purposes.
India’s Position:
India has consistently supported Mauritius’ claim over the Chagos Archipelago, aligning with its anti-colonial stance and strong bilateral relations with Mauritius. In March 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mauritius to upgrade strategic ties and reaffirm support for Mauritius’ sovereignty over Chagos.
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