On Thursday, the UK agreed to relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, an archipelago of over 60 islands in the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius. The agreement secures the future of the
UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, a strategically important site for global military operations.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that the deal ensures the continued operation of the base at Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos chain, which has been under British control for more than 50 years. The base, hosting around 2,500 personnel, mainly Americans, has played a key role in military missions, including the Iraq War and the war in Afghanistan.
The British government highlighted that without this agreement, the operation of the Diego Garcia base would have been at risk due to contested sovereignty and ongoing legal disputes, including cases in international courts. Lammy emphasized that the agreement strengthens the UK’s global security role, prevents the Indian Ocean from becoming a potential route for illegal migration, and solidifies the UK’s relationship with Mauritius, a fellow Commonwealth member.
As part of the deal, the UK will retain sovereignty over Diego Garcia for an initial period of 99 years and will pay rent to Mauritius. A resettlement fund will also be established to support displaced Chagossians, enabling them to return to islands other than Diego Garcia.
The Chagos Islands, often portrayed as a tropical paradise with lush landscapes and white sandy beaches, have been under British control since 1965, when they were separated from Mauritius, which gained independence three years later. The U.S. built the Diego Garcia naval base in the 1970s under a lease agreement with Britain, describing it as an indispensable platform for operations in the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa.
Approximately 1,500 Chagossian residents were forcibly displaced to make way for the U.S. base, which Human Rights Watch last year labeled as "crimes against humanity" committed by a colonial power. Chagossian advocacy groups expressed disappointment that they were excluded from the negotiations and called for their voices to be included in shaping the future of the islands.
Although the agreement allows for resettlement of displaced Chagossians, many have been left frustrated by their lack of inclusion in the process. Chagossian Voices, a UK-based group, criticized the outcome, demanding full participation in the treaty’s drafting.
Both the UK and Mauritius committed to finalizing the legal processes as quickly as possible, with the treaty expected to address the islands' future and rectify past wrongs. Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth hailed the deal, declaring that after 56 years, the decolonization of Mauritius was complete.
The agreement has garnered international attention, with President Joe Biden applauding the historic accord. The U.S. affirmed that the deal secures the ongoing operation of the Diego Garcia facility well into the future.
However, some UK Conservative lawmakers expressed concerns over the decision to cede sovereignty, warning it could have security implications and potentially lead to Chinese influence in the region. Tom Tugendhat, one of the prominent critics, called the move a "shameful retreat" that undermines UK security and leaves allies vulnerable.
Despite these criticisms, the deal marks a significant moment in resolving the long-standing sovereignty dispute over the Chagos Islands. Photo by Anne Sheppard, Wikimedia commons.