The UK has agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, a remote Indian Ocean archipelago, to Mauritius, resolving a dispute that has spanned several decades. The agreement includes Diego Garcia, a key tropical atoll that hosts a strategically important military base used by both the UK and the US. The base will remain under UK and US jurisdiction for at least the next 99 years, as part of the deal.
The UK government announced the treaty as a step toward addressing historical wrongs and improving the welfare of Chagossians, the islands’ native population, many of whom were displaced when the military base was established.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy highlighted the importance of the agreement, saying, “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.”
Lammy added that the treaty would not only protect global security but also prevent the Indian Ocean from becoming a route for illegal migration to the UK while reinforcing the UK’s relationship with Mauritius, a key Commonwealth partner.
