India on handover of Chagos Islands by UK: Completes decolonisation of Mauritius

India has consistently supported Mauritius' claim for sovereignty over Chagos archipelago. The government welcomes the agreement between UK and Mauritus on the long-standing legal dispute.

In Short

• UK announces agreement on handing over sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius
• The longstanding Chagos dispute resolved after 2 years of negotiation
• India welcomes agreement, supports Mauritius' sovereignty claim

The government on Thursday said that the agreement on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago "completes the decolonisation of Mauritius". The government expressed its strong support for the agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius.

“The resolution of the long-standing Chagos dispute after two years of negotiations, in compliance with international law, is a welcome development,” the Ministry of External Affairs said, adding that India has consistently supported Mauritius’ claim of sovereignty over the islands.

The government reiterated its firm stance on decolonisation and respect for territorial integrity, emphasising its longstanding partnership with Mauritius.

ABOUT UK-MAURITIUS AGREEMENT

The UK and Mauritius recently announced a "historic" agreement that will transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while maintaining the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which will remain operational for at least 99 more years. This settlement, which has been under negotiation since 2022, resolves a decades-long territorial dispute and secures the future of the strategically important military base.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as a diplomatic success that ensures continued stability in the Indian Ocean region.

“The Prime Minister reiterated the importance of protecting the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, underscoring national and global security,” a Downing Street statement read.

Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth also celebrated the agreement as a momentous occasion, stating, “Today marks the completion of our decolonisation, a long-awaited moment for the people of Mauritius.”

US President Joe Biden applauded the agreement, highlighting its importance in securing Diego Garcia's role in global security for the next century. The military base has been crucial in maintaining regional stability and responding to crises in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa.

While the agreement has been welcomed by many, including the international community, some groups representing displaced Chagos Islanders have expressed frustration over being excluded from the negotiations. The Chagossian diaspora in the UK and Mauritius have long sought resettlement rights following their forced displacement in the 1970s to make way for the military base.

INDIA’S SUPPORT TO MAURITIUS

India has backed Mauritus in the legal dispute over the Island. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed New Delhi’s support for Mauritius during a visit to Port Louis earlier this year. India’s backing aligned with its broader principles on sovereignty and its special relationship with Mauritius, a fellow member of the Commonwealth.

In the agreement between Mauritius and the UK, India played a quiet but important role in the background, as per a report by news agency ANI.

“It firmly backed the principled Mauritian position, supporting its stance on the need to do away with the last vestiges of decolonisation. At the same time, it consistently encouraged both sides to negotiate with an open mind and with a view to achieving 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,” the report added.

The new agreement paves the way for Mauritius to manage resettlement on all islands except Diego Garcia. The treaty is expected to be finalised soon, marking a resolution to one of the last colonial-era territorial disputes.

(With inputs from PTI, Reuters)