Context
Recently, the sovereignty dispute over the Chagos Archipelago has returned to the spotlight following ongoing diplomatic negotiations between the United Kingdom and Mauritius, as reported in major dailies. The discussions center on the historic transfer of authority over the islands, specifically addressing the status of the strategic military base at Diego Garcia and the right of return for the displaced Chagosian people.
1. Geography and Location
- The Chagos Archipelago is a group of seven atolls comprising more than 60 individual tropical islands in the Indian Ocean.
- It is situated approximately 500 kilometers south of the Maldives archipelago.
- The largest and most southerly island is Diego Garcia, which hosts a vital strategic military base operated by the United States and the United Kingdom.
2. Historical and Political Background
- Originally, the Chagos Islands were part of the French colony of Mauritius, which was later ceded to the United Kingdom in 1814.
- In 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence, the UK detached the Chagos Archipelago to create the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
- Between 1968 and 1973, the local population (Chagosians) was forcibly relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles to make way for the military base on Diego Garcia.
3. Legal and Diplomatic Developments
- ICJ Advisory Opinion (2019): The International Court of Justice ruled that the decolonization of Mauritius was not lawfully completed and that the UK is under an obligation to end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible.
- UN General Assembly Resolution: Following the ICJ ruling, the UNGA passed a resolution demanding that the UK withdraw its colonial administration.
- Current Status: The UK has agreed to hand over sovereignty to Mauritius, provided that the long-term operation of the Diego Garcia military base is secured through a treaty.
4. Strategic Significance
- The archipelago sits at the “crossroads” of the Indian Ocean, providing a surveillance and strike capability covering the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
- It is a critical node for maintaining maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Q. With reference to the Chagos Archipelago, consider the following statements:
1. It is a group of islands located in the South Atlantic Ocean, south of the Saint Helena island.
2. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 2019 that the UK’s administration of the islands is unlawful.
3. Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, is currently under the sovereign control of Mauritius.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Correct Answer: (a) Only one
Explanation:
• STATEMENT 1 IS INCORRECT: The Chagos Archipelago is located in the central Indian Ocean, not the South Atlantic. It lies south of the Maldives.
• STATEMENT 2 IS CORRECT: In its 2019 advisory opinion, the ICJ stated that the process of decolonization of Mauritius was not lawfully completed and the UK must end its administration.
• STATEMENT 3 IS INCORRECT: While Mauritius claims sovereignty, Diego Garcia is currently still administered by the UK as part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) and houses a joint UK-US military base.
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