Backed by the White House, the United Kingdom has officially transferred sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after 13 rounds of negotiations concerning the former African territory. However, the UK will maintain control of the Diego Garcia military base for an initial period of 99 years.
London hailed the agreement as a “historic milestone,” emphasizing that this marks the first time in over 50 years that the legal status of the military base will be recognized and secure. Nonetheless, the decision has faced immediate backlash from opposition lawmakers and analysts who are wary of the agreement’s strategic implications, particularly in light of China’s growing ties with Mauritius.
The arrangement is “subject to the finalization of a treaty and supporting legal instruments,” as stated in a joint statement from the UK and Mauritius.
More than 50 years ago, the UK separated the Chagos Archipelago—comprising around 55 islands located approximately 1,700 miles south of India—from Mauritius, forcibly removing its inhabitants and rebranding the territory as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). Following this, the UK granted the US usage rights of BIOT and Diego Garcia for defense purposes on a 50-year lease, which was renewed in 2016 for an additional 20 years.
The UK government expressed that without today’s agreement, the long-term operational security of the Diego Garcia military base would be jeopardized, facing potential legal challenges and contested sovereignty in international courts.
The UK noted, “This agreement showcases the government’s commitment to safeguarding global security and averting threats to peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and wider Indo-Pacific,” allowing Mauritius to assume sovereignty while permitting the UK to exercise sovereign rights on Diego Garcia.
As part of the new agreement, London has pledged a “package of financial support” to Mauritius, detailing an undisclosed annual payment over the pact’s duration. Additionally, the two countries will collaborate on various issues, including environmental protection, maritime security, and tackling illegal fishing, irregular migration, and trafficking within the Chagos Archipelago, according to the joint statement.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the pact, stating that Diego Garcia plays a crucial role in national, regional, and global security and enables the US to respond rapidly to crises while helping to counter pressing security threats. The military base is vital for US air and naval operations throughout the Indo-Pacific and provides logistical support for forces in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.
Currently, about 40 personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines are stationed at Diego Garcia. However, the decision has drawn criticism in the UK, particularly among Conservative Party members, even though the negotiations were initiated by the Conservatives in 2022, following a UN court ruling that the UK had no sovereignty over the islands and that they should be returned to Mauritius.
Grant Shapps, a former British defense secretary, denounced the move as “absolutely appalling” and a “deeply regrettable act.” Another Conservative leadership candidate, Tom Tugendhat, criticized it as “a shameful retreat undermining our security” that could leave allies vulnerable. Robert Jenrick, also a rival candidate, described the agreement as a “dangerous capitulation to an ally of Beijing.”
Concerns about potential Chinese influence have resurfaced, given that China has a free trade agreement with Mauritius. David Blagden, an associate professor at the University of Exeter, warned that the surrounding islands would likely attract the interest of Chinese intelligence and special operations.
Analyst Emma Salisbury opined that this deal could be viewed by historians as a significant strategic error, especially considering Diego Garcia’s importance to UK and US security. Previously, the Mauritius ambassador to China has highlighted the close relationship between Mauritius and China, demonstrating cooperation across various sectors.
In conclusion, while the new agreement alters the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands and secures the future of a pivotal military base, it raises pressing questions regarding regional security dynamics and the growing influence of China in the Indian Ocean region.
