Argentina has pledged to intensify its efforts to gain "full sovereignty" over the Falkland Islands following the UK's decision to cede control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

The move has sparked debate over the future of Britain's overseas territories.

Argentina's Foreign Minister, Diana Mondino, welcomed the UK’s handover of the Chagos Islands, which took place under Sir Keir Starmer's government, marking an end to what she called "outdated practices." She vowed to take "concrete action" to reclaim the Falklands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina, which Buenos Aires has long claimed as its own.

Mondino's statement stirred concerns among critics in the UK, who fear the Chagos Islands agreement could set a precedent for other territories. "The long dispute between Britain and Mauritius ended today, with Mauritians successfully regaining their Chagos territory," Mondino said. "We welcome this progress and, through concrete actions, not empty rhetoric, we will recover full sovereignty over our Malvinas Islands. The Malvinas were, are, and will always be Argentine."

In response, Falklands governor Alison Blake reassured residents of the islands that Britain's commitment to the South Atlantic territory remains "unwavering." Blake emphasized the significant historical and political differences between the Chagos Islands and the Falklands.

The UK government reached a political agreement with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands, also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, after negotiations that began in 2022. Under the deal, Mauritius will assume sovereignty over the islands, while the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia will remain intact. The agreement ensures that the status of the military base will be undisputed and legally secure.

US President Joe Biden praised the "historic" deal, which he said guarantees the effective operation of the base for years to come. However, reactions to the agreement have been mixed. Some view it as the resolution of a long-standing dispute, while others, including Conservative leadership contenders, argue that it could compromise UK security interests.

Human rights groups have criticized the deal for not fully addressing the past displacement of Chagossians, who were forced to leave the islands by 1973 to make way for the military base. The expulsions are considered a dark chapter in Britain’s colonial history, and the Chagossian community has spent decades fighting for the right to return. In a 2019 ruling, the International Court of Justice declared the UK's administration of the territory "unlawful."

The Falklands conflict still looms over UK-Argentina relations. Argentina invaded the islands in 1982, claiming it had inherited them from Spain in the 19th century. The brief war resulted in the deaths of 655 Argentinians, 255 British personnel, and three Falkland Islanders before British forces regained control.

The new agreement between the UK and Mauritius includes a treaty aimed at addressing the wrongs of the past and improving the welfare of displaced Chagossians. The UK-US military presence on Diego Garcia is expected to continue for at least 99 years, with an option for renewal, and Britain will pay an annual sum as part of the arrangement. Specific financial details have not yet been disclosed.

Despite the agreement, concerns have been raised over the geopolitical implications. Conservative MP Robert Jenrick criticized Starmer’s government for what he described as the swift surrender of Britain’s strategic interests. Former foreign secretary James Cleverly also condemned the move, calling it "weak." Tom Tugendhat, a former security minister, warned that the decision could enable China to expand its influence in the Indian Ocean, pointing to China's growing presence in Africa and the Middle East and its increasing ties with Mauritius.

As tensions rise over the implications of the Chagos Islands handover, Argentina's renewed calls for sovereignty over the Falklands have added another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate over Britain's overseas territories. Photo by Victor, Wikimedia commons.