Chagos Archipelago

Why In News?

Recently, the United Kingdom reached a historic agreement to transfer the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, effectively ending decades of diplomatic and legal disputes over the territory.
This development is significant as it addresses the status of Britain’s last African colony while ensuring the continued operation of the strategically vital UK-US military base on Diego Garcia through a 99-year lease agreement.

1. Geographical Profile

Location: The Chagos Islands are a group of seven atolls and more than 60 individual tropical islands located in the central Indian Ocean, approximately 500 km south of the Maldives and 1,600 km south of India’s southern tip.
Physical Features: The islands are mostly flat, low-lying coral atolls with an average elevation of less than 2 meters; they do not possess any rivers or freshwater lakes.
Key Islands: The archipelago includes Diego Garcia (the largest and southernmost island), the Salomon Islands, Peros Banhos, Danger Island, and the Egmont Islands.
Geological Context: It sits on the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge, a submarine mountain range that also includes the Lakshadweep and Maldives chains.

2. Historical Background

Colonial Era: Originally settled by the French in the 18th century, the islands were ceded to Britain in 1814 under the Treaty of Paris and were administered as a dependency of Mauritius.
The 1965 Detachment: In 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence, the UK detached the Chagos Archipelago to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
Forced Displacement: Between 1968 and 1973, the UK forcibly evicted the indigenous population, known as Chagossians (or Ilois), to Mauritius and the Seychelles to clear the way for a military facility.

3. The Diego Garcia Base

Strategic Importance: Often referred to as a “stationary aircraft carrier,” Diego Garcia is one of the most important US overseas military bases, supporting long-range bombers and naval operations in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific.
New Treaty Terms: Under the 2024–2025 agreement, Mauritius will be recognized as sovereign over the entire archipelago, but the UK will retain administrative control over Diego Garcia for an initial period of 99 years.

4. Legal and Diplomatic Milestones

ICJ Advisory Opinion (2019): The International Court of Justice ruled that the decolonization of Mauritius was not lawfully completed and that the UK should end its administration of the islands.
UN General Assembly (2019): The UNGA passed a resolution demanding the UK withdraw its colonial administration.
ITLOS Ruling (2021): The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea also affirmed Mauritius’ sovereignty in a maritime boundary dispute with the Maldives.

Q. With reference to the Chagos Archipelago, consider the following statements:
I.	It is located in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Equator.
II.	The archipelago is part of the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge.
III.	Under the latest agreement, the UK has transferred sovereignty of the entire archipelago, including Diego Garcia, to Mauritius.
IV.	The islands are characterized by high mountainous terrain and perennial rivers.

Which of the statements given above are correct? 
(a) I and II only 
(b) II and III only 
(c) III and IV only 
(d) I, II and III only

Correct Answer: (b)
Solution
Statement 1 Is Incorrect: The Chagos Archipelago is located in the Central Indian Ocean, not the Pacific Ocean.
Statement 2 Is Correct: It is indeed a part of the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge, which extends from the Laccadives (Lakshadweep) down to the Chagos group.
Statement 3 Is Correct: The recent treaty recognizes Mauritian sovereignty over the entire archipelago, though the UK will lease back Diego Garcia for 99 years.
Statement 4 Is Incorrect: The islands are low-lying coral atolls with no rivers or lakes.