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CHAGOS ARCHIPELAGO

•  A group of seven atolls comprising more than 60 individual tropical islands in the Indian Ocean about 500 kilometres (310 mi) south of the Maldives archipelago.
• The sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago is disputed between the UK and Mauritius.
• The United Kingdom excised the archipelago from Mauritian territory in 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence in 1968.

NOTES

• UK is in breach of UN resolution 1514 which specifically banned the break-up of colonies before Independence.
• At the International Court of Justice representatives of 22 countries have disputed over colonial history and the rights of the exiled islanders to return to their homeland.

DIEGO GARCIA

• Between 1968 and 1973, the population was forcibly removed by the United Kingdom and the United States to establish an American base through intimidation of locals and denying the return of any who left the island.
• As of August 2018, Diego Garcia is the only inhabited island of the BIOT; the population is composed of military personnel and supporting contractors. It is one of two critical US bomber bases in the Asia Pacific region, along with Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Pacific Ocean.

THE DISPUTE

• On 25 February 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the United Kingdom should relinquish the archipelago.
•  On 22 May 2019 the United Nations passed a nonbinding resolution, by 116 to 6, demanding the UK return control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. (6 months time)
•  The non-binding vote was a rebuke to the U.K.

DECOLONISING THE CHAGOS ARCHIPELAGO

• India has played an important role, away from the public glare, in this whole affair. India’s relations with Mauritius are unique and it was a foregone conclusion that India would solidly back Mauritius’s claims, given India’s active role in decolonisation.
• The U.S. and the U.K. tried to influence India to restrain Mauritius. Both countries conveyed to Mauritius they could not hand over the Chagos as long as it is required for defence purposes.

RESOLVING DIEGO GARCIA

• Eventually, the issue of sovereignty will have to be finessed by agreements that allow continuation of the military base at Diego Garcia with guarantees that Mauritius will retain sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago. Mauritius will agree to lease out the island for a long period to the U.S. for maintaining the military base.
• The U.K.’s role is more problematic in the aftermath of the ICJ ruling and the UN resolution. It would be best for London to step back and hand over sovereignty to Mauritius and simultaneously work out the leasing arrangement with the U.S. India can play a pivotal role in bringing such an agreement to fruition.

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