How India's Quiet Diplomacy Helped Mauritius Secure Chagos Islands Sovereignty from UK

In a historic move marking the end of a decades-long dispute, the United Kingdom has agreed to cede sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius.

This agreement, reached after two years of negotiations, signifies a major step towards decolonization and has been welcomed by India, which played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in facilitating the deal.

The Chagos archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean, includes Diego Garcia, home to a strategically important US military base.

The UK's control over the islands has been a point of contention with Mauritius, which has long claimed sovereignty over the territory.

While the UK and Mauritius conducted the negotiations, both nations acknowledged the significant contribution of India and the United States in reaching this agreement.

Sources reveal that India consistently supported Mauritius's claim, advocating for the "need to do away with the last vestiges of colonisation." India's stance aligns with its principled stand on decolonization and its close partnership with Mauritius.

"India played a quiet but important role in the background," sources stated. "It firmly backed the principled Mauritian position, supporting its stance on the need to do away with the last vestiges of decolonisation.

At the same time, it consistently encouraged both sides to negotiate with an open mind and with a view to achieving mutually beneficial outcomes."

The agreement ensures the continuation of the US military base at Diego Garcia through a 99-year lease, addressing security concerns in the Indian Ocean region.

India's Ministry of External Affairs welcomed the agreement, calling it a "significant understanding" that "completes the decolonisation of Mauritius."

This resolution not only signifies a victory for Mauritius and its pursuit of sovereignty but also highlights India's growing diplomatic influence in the Indian Ocean region.

By fostering dialogue and advocating for a peaceful resolution, India has contributed to strengthening maritime security and stability in this strategically vital area.

 

[R. Singh]

India should also be part of Diego Garcia military base !

 

[Chinese eater]

When India gained independence India should have taken control of Bangladesh, Mauritius, Myanmar all Indian ocean nations having Indian historical connection must be taken into Indian control

 

[NSR]

Actually, most of those islands between India and Africa and islands East of India once belonged to Indian Chola, Pandya, Vallabh, etc Emperors.

Alas, now Indian politicians feels like kings/queens and gives away its strategic islands like Cocos and Katchatheevu instead of making noise and taking actions to get them into Indian sovereignty.

Sad indeed.

 

[Dredd]

When India gained independence India should have taken control of Bangladesh, Mauritius, Myanmar all Indian ocean nations having Indian historical connection must be taken into Indian control

India was as poor as sub saharan region at that time and these counties would have been a liability at that time. Although indian should have asserted its claim on maldives

 

[Dredd]

Actually, most of those islands between India and Africa and islands East of India once belonged to Indian Chola, Pandya, Vallabh, etc Emperors.

Alas, now Indian politicians feels like kings/queens and gives away its strategic islands like Cocos and Katchatheevu instead of making noise and taking actions to get them into Indian sovereignty.

Sad indeed.

coco was a blunder , Nehru surrendering aksai chin was bigger blunder.

 

[PKPRS]

What happened to the US & Uk base diego garcia?

 

[neil]

What happened to the US & Uk base diego garcia?

Continues to be there

 

[PKPRS]

Continues to be there

So it will be off limits to Mauritius citizens, may be Mauritius will be paid rent.

 

[Sandeep]

US has closed a legal loophole with this move. DG is aimed at India. It may become a nuisance to us in the long run. For the next 10-20 years, we have no problem and its a good thing to have US presence in IOR. If this becomes a nuisance, we need to dig the history. I'm pretty sure Cholas held territory there at some point.

Should US get bankrupt and unable to maintain it, we should acquire. My guess is US's power will wane in the coming decades (2035+) and they will be scaling down their power projection. When this happens, we need to grab some of their key bases, esp Diego Garcia & other Indian ocean region bases. Some pacific island base would also be nice (plenty of underdeveloped islands there or even Guam if they vacate it).

We need to seriously look at proliferating Aadhar & UPI in Africa and SE Asia. We need to subvert the dollar - that is the answer to the mayhem US is causing in our neighbourhood. US is having a free run and establishing stupid bases all over the world because of the dollar being world's reserve currency. Once they lose that power, they will lose the ability to be "world's #1 nuisance"

 

[NSR]

coco was a blunder , Nehru surrendering aksai chin was bigger blunder.

And his daughter IG gave away Katchatheevu for no good reason at all.
In fact, it was under Travancore King ruling for a long time.

 

[Pad UwU]

So it will be off limits to Mauritius citizens, may be Mauritius will be paid rent.

It will be like the UK military base in Cyprus

 

[Reuben]

US has closed a legal loophole with this move. DG is aimed at India. It may become a nuisance to us in the long run. For the next 10-20 years, we have no problem and its a good thing to have US presence in IOR. If this becomes a nuisance, we need to dig the history. I'm pretty sure Cholas held territory there at some point.

DG is not aimed at India, but the Middle East and China.

 

[Bhishma]

DG is not aimed at India, but the Middle East and China.

DG came into existence after US failed to threaten India in 1971 war. US positioned 7th fleet & USS Enterprise in Bay of Bengal which was threatened back by Soviet subs. US then realized the importance of having a base in IOR. Thats how it came into existence. Yes, for NOW, DG is aimed at ME & PRC. Things will change if China is out of the equation.

 

[Bhishma]

And his daughter IG gave away Katchatheevu for no good reason at all.
In fact, it was under Travancore King ruling for a long time.

whole SL was Indian territory. Shouldnt have let SL leave. It would have been good for SL & India.