India welcomes decision to return Chagos Archipelago

New Delhi, Oct 3: India has welcomed the recent agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius on the return of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, marking a major milestone in the decolonization process of Mauritius.

In a press release, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “We welcome the agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, including Diego Garcia. This significant understanding completes the decolonisation of Mauritius. The resolution of the longstanding Chagos dispute after two years of negotiations, in compliance with international law, is a welcome development.”

The Chagos Archipelago has been under British control for over five decades, with Diego Garcia serving as a key U.S. military base in the Indian Ocean. The handover follows two years of negotiations between the UK and Mauritius and comes in line with international legal rulings supporting Mauritius’s claim to the islands.

India has consistently backed Mauritius’s claim to the Chagos Islands. The MEA reaffirmed this position, stating, “India has consistently supported Mauritius’s claim for sovereignty over Chagos, in line with its principled stand on decolonization and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, as well as its longstanding and close partnership with Mauritius.”

The resolution of this issue is seen as a positive step towards ensuring greater peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. India emphasized its commitment to working with Mauritius and other partners in the region to promote maritime security. The MEA noted, “India remains committed to working with Mauritius and other like-minded partners in strengthening maritime safety and security and contributing to enhanced peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.”

The return of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius marks the end of a long-standing dispute over the strategically important islands, which have played a critical role in international military and geopolitical affairs.