Why in News?
The United Kingdom agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while retaining long-term military access to Diego Garcia; the move triggered political reactions, including criticism by Donald Trump.
Description:
What is the Chagos Islands Issue?
- The Chagos Archipelago was detached from Mauritius (1965) before its independence.
- Thousands of Chagossians were evicted (1960s–70s) to facilitate a U.S.–U.K. military base on Diego Garcia.
- Mauritius has long claimed the detachment violated decolonisation norms.
International Legal Background:
- ICJ Advisory Opinion (2019): UK’s administration of Chagos is unlawful; decolonisation of Mauritius was not lawfully completed.
- UN General Assembly resolutions: Urged the UK to return the territory to Mauritius.
- UK position (recent): Settlement to end legal uncertainty and protect base operations.
The 2025 Agreement:
- Sovereignty: Transferred to Mauritius.
- Military Access: UK to lease Diego Garcia to support the U.S.–U.K. base.
- Duration: At least 99 years (lease-back: Transfer of sovereignty with continued use via a long-term lease)
- Objective: Ensure long-term, stable operation of the strategic base while resolving legal challenges.
Strategic Significance of Diego Garcia:
- A strategically vital hub in the Indian Ocean that underpins naval operations, long-range bomber deployments, intelligence, surveillance, and logistics.
- Supports Indo-Pacific security architecture and freedom of navigation.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
â—‰ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
â—‰ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
â—‰ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040