India has been informed of a new agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius regarding the future of the Chagos Archipelago, which involves the UK relinquishing sovereignty while maintaining control over Diego Garcia for 99 years. This agreement enhances international cooperation and security in the Indian Ocean region, with India playing a crucial supporting role throughout negotiations. The resolution aligns with international law and promotes decolonization efforts, addressing longstanding territorial disputes with positive implications for regional stability.
India was kept informed as the United Kingdom and Mauritius reached an agreement on the future of the Chagos Archipelago, strategically important islands in the Indian Ocean that currently host a U.S. military base. Under the agreement announced on Thursday, the UK will relinquish its claim to Chagos, including Diego Garcia, while granting sovereignty to Mauritius. However, the UK will maintain control over Diego Garcia for a period of 99 years to ensure the operation of the existing UK/U.S. military base. A joint statement from both parties indicated that they had enjoyed the support of their close partners, the United States and India, while negotiating this agreement. This marks the conclusion of 11 rounds of discussions, which began in 2022. Previously, former UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had acknowledged the interests of India and the U.S. in the negotiations regarding Chagos and assured that they would be kept updated about the progress. This development holds significant implications for New Delhi, both in terms of regional security and its relations with Mauritius and the UK. India has long supported Mauritius’s claim to the Chagos Archipelago, aligning with its commitment to decolonization principles. In a visit to Mauritius earlier this year, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, reiterated, “on the issue of Chagos, India will continue its consistent support to Mauritius in line with its principal stand on decolonization and support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.” From a security perspective, the agreement permits the continuation of the U.S.-UK Base in Diego Garcia amidst increasing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean region. This situation may have wider ramifications for the Indo-Pacific region, with the UK, U.S., Mauritius, and India being key stakeholders. The British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, remarked that this agreement facilitates deeper cooperation with India in the Indian Ocean, enhancing global security and addressing threats to peace and prosperity within the Indo-Pacific region. India welcomed the agreement with its Ministry of External Affairs stating that the resolution of the enduring Chagos dispute, resulting from two years of negotiations and in alignment with international law, is a commendable outcome. Sources suggest that India played a subtle yet crucial role behind the scenes in encouraging both parties to engage in meaningful negotiations aimed at achieving mutually beneficial outcomes. Diego Garcia serves as a critical U.S. military outpost that significantly influences the power dynamics in the Indian Ocean. Established in the early 1970s through an agreement between the UK and the U.S., this base has been pivotal for U.S. military operations, including actions during the Gulf War of the 1990s, the Afghan conflict in 2021, and the Iraq War in 2023. It serves as a vital hub for aerial refueling, surveillance, and bomber operations extending its operational reach over West Asia, Africa, and the broader Asian region. The recent agreement has gained commendation from U.S. President Joe Biden. In 2019, the International Court of Justice advised that the UK should terminate its administration over the Chagos Archipelago, aligning with Mauritius’s claims. Subsequently, in May 2023, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of Mauritius’s claim, urging the UK to withdraw its administration from the Chagos Archipelago.
The Chagos Archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean, has historically been a contentious issue between the UK and Mauritius since the islands were detached from Mauritius in the 1960s for the establishment of a U.S. military base on Diego Garcia. The geopolitical significance of the archipelago is heightened by global strategic interests, particularly involving the U.S., UK, India, and China. India has positioned itself as a supporter of Mauritius’s claims based on principles of decolonization and territorial integrity, aligning its foreign policy with regional stability and security in the Indian Ocean. The negotiations leading to this recent agreement have spanned over two years and multiple rounds, reflecting the complexity of diplomatic negotiations involving multiple stakeholders and interests.
The agreement between the UK and Mauritius regarding the Chagos Archipelago represents a significant step forward in addressing long-standing territorial disputes while ensuring the continued operation of the U.S.-UK military base in Diego Garcia. India has played a crucial role in facilitating dialogue between the two nations, emphasizing its commitment to international principles of sovereignty and decolonization. The resolution not only strengthens the strategic alliance between the involved nations but also enhances regional security, countering the growing influence of China in the Indian Ocean. Overall, this development is perceived as a positive outcome that reinforces cooperative engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
Original Source: www.wionews.com
