Chagos Islands Dispute
About
- The Chagos Archipelago consists of over 600 islands situated in the central Indian Ocean, strategically positioned between Africa and Southeast Asia.
- Originally part of the British colony of Mauritius, the UK separated the archipelago in 1965 to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
- When Mauritius gained independence in 1968, the UK retained control of the islands, citing strategic defense needs.
- At the heart of this dispute is Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, where the US and the UK operate a large military base.
- Diplomatic Resolution
Diplomatic Resolution
- In May 2025, the United Kingdom and Mauritius reached a historic agreement to recognize Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, while ensuring the continued operation of the U.K.-U.S. military base there.