Half a century old dispute ends, Britain will return Chagos island to Mauritius, why is this place important in the Indian Ocean?

Britain and Mauritius have finally reached an agreement over the Chagos Islands. According to the information, Britain has agreed to hand over the strategically important Chagos Islands located in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius. Let us tell you that there was a dispute between the two countries over this island for more than half a century. India also openly supported Mauritius in this matter.

UK-US will continue to operate the military base

Britain has said that under the agreement, it will hand over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. After this agreement, people displaced from the island decades ago will be allowed to return home. However, Britain will continue to use the UK-US military base located on Diego Garcia. Let us tell you that Britain, along with America, operates a military base on the Diego Garcia island of Chagos, which gives it a strategic advantage in the Indian Ocean.

What was the whole controversy?

In fact, in the 1960s-70s, Britain expelled the people living in the Chagos Islands. This incident is seen as a crime against humanity. Even after Mauritius gained independence in 1968, Britain retained control over the region. Britain has controlled this region since 1814. Britain removed about 2,000 residents of Mauritius and Seychelles from here and invited the US to build a military base here. Between 2019 and 2021, the International Court of Justice also ruled in favor of Mauritius. The court held that Britain had illegally separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius before granting independence in 1968.

Why are the Chagos Islands important?

Chagos is a group of about 60 islands located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It is spread over an area of ​​60 square kilometers. This archipelago is located about 2,200 kilometers from Mauritius and about 1,000 nautical miles from the south of the Indian subcontinent. The geographical position of Chagos gives any country a strategic advantage in the Indian Ocean. It is believed that this is the reason why Britain and America still want to keep a military base here. 

What did Britain say?

British Foreign Minister David Lammy has stated this agreement. He said that Britain had signed an agreement with Mauritius, securing an important military base on Diego Garcia. This agreement has also received the support of America and it will protect international security. This agreement will close the illegal migration route and avert threats in the Indian Ocean.