Chagos Island

Chagos Island: India reaffirmed its support for Mauritius’ claim over the Chagos Archipelago ahead of Indian PM’s visit to Mauritius.

• About: Islands are a landmass surrounded by water on all sides, smaller than a continent but larger than a rock or islet which found in oceans, seas, lakes, or rivers in various shapes and sizes.
• Chagos Islands: It is a grouping of 58 islands situated in the Indian Ocean about 500 km south of the Maldives, , ~1,600 km northeast of Mauritius.

o It holds strategic importance, with Diego Garcia, one of its islands, serving as a vital military base jointly operated by the UK and the US.

• Diego Garcia: Largest Island, area 32.5 sq km.
• Great Chagos Bank: World’s largest atoll structure, spread over 12,642 sq km.
• Historical Background: In 16th Century, Chagos Islands mapped by Portuguese.
• British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): In 1965, UK created BIOT by detaching Chagos from Mauritius and islands from Seychelles.
• Legal Dispute: In 2022, UK-Mauritius negotiations began. The UK officially recognised Mauritius’ sovereign rights over Chagos in 2023, though it retained control over Diego Garcia for military purposes.
• Agreement: Britain agreed in October 2024 to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining control of the Diego Garcia military base under a 99-year lease (awaiting ratification).
• Military Base on Diego Garcia: Strategically vital for U.S. bombers and warships.