Chagos Islands

Context

• Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister reaffirmed its support to Mauritius on the issue of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean against the United Kingdom.

About the Chagos Islands (aka Chagos Archipelago)

• These consist of more than 60 islands and atolls, and are situated approximately 500 kilometres south of the Maldives.

Discovery and Early Ownership

• Portuguese navigators stumbled upon the Chagos Islands in the 16th century. They mapped the islands and bestowed names that endure to this day.
• The Dutch also had a brief presence but eventually moved on.
• France and Mauritius later took possession of the islands. The French named additional islands and established coconut plantations, relying on enslaved workers from Madagascar, Mozambique, and southern India.

British Acquisition

• After the defeat of Napoleon, Great Britain gained control over both Chagos and Mauritius.

• Since 1971, only Diego Garcia has been inhabited. It serves as a crucial military base for the United States, with around 2,500 American military personnel stationed there.

Sovereignty Dispute

• Mauritius, which gained independence from the UK in 1968, claims sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.
• However, the UK retained control, citing the need to accommodate the US military’s use of Diego Garcia for defence purposes.
• This dispute has persisted for over 50 years, with Mauritius seeking the return of the islands.

UK’s Role and Diego Garcia

• Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago, is pivotal. It hosts a major US military base leased from Britain in 1966. The base plays a strategic role in global security and defence.
• However, it remains a point of contention between the UK, Mauritius, and the international community.