File photograph of gasoline tanks on the fringe of a navy airstrip on Diego Garcia, the biggest island within the Chagos Archipelago and website of a serious US navy base in the midst of the Indian Ocean leased to Britain in 1966. | Picture credit score: Reuters
The British authorities stated on Thursday (Oct 3, 2024) it has agreed handy over sovereignty of the long-disputed Chagos Islands, an archipelago of greater than 60 islands within the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius, in a deal that secures the way forward for a Kingdom Strategically vital United. -US navy base there.
British Overseas Secretary David Lammy stated the deal secures the important Diego Garcia navy base, the biggest within the island chain, for the long run.
The UK authorities stated that with out the deal the safe operation of the navy base can be threatened, with sovereignty questioned and authorized challenges, together with by way of a number of worldwide courts and tribunals. As a part of the settlement, the UK will retain sovereignty over Diego GarcĂa for an preliminary interval of 99 years.
“It’s going to strengthen our function in safeguarding world safety, shut any chance of the Indian Ocean getting used as a harmful unlawful migration path to the UK, in addition to guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius, an in depth associate of the Commonwealth,” Mr. Lammy stated.
The deal had sturdy help from worldwide companions, together with america, British officers stated.
The settlement should be signed right into a treaty and relies on authorized processes being finalized. Each events have dedicated to finishing this as shortly as doable.
The Chagos Islands have been on the coronary heart of what Britain calls the British Indian Ocean Territory since 1965, once they had been diverted from Mauritius, a UK territory that gained independence three years later.
The US Navy base at Diego Garcia was constructed within the Seventies and supplies what US officers have described as “a just about indispensable platform” for safety operations within the Center East, South Asia and East Africa. .
Round 1,500 Chagos Islanders had been displaced to make means for the US base. It isn’t instantly clear whether or not they and their descendants, who dwell primarily in the UK, Mauritius and the Seychelles, may have the fitting to return.
In an announcement, the White Home stated President Joe Biden applauded the “historic settlement” on the standing of the Chagos Islands. He described the Diego GarcĂa base as important to protect “nationwide, regional and world safety.”
“The settlement ensures the efficient operation of the joint facility in Diego GarcĂa for the subsequent century,” the assertion stated. “This settlement affirms Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, whereas granting the UK the authority to train Mauritius’ sovereign rights with respect to Diego Garcia.”
Printed – October 3, 2024 05:05 pm IST