CHAGOS ARCHIPELAGO (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 - IR)

Context: India has reiterated its support for Mauritius in its sovereignty dispute with the UK over the Chagos archipelago.

Chagos Archipelago 

• Location: It is situated approximately 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) south of India and Sri Lanka.
• Physiography: It consists of about 60 small islands, with the largest and most significant being Diego Garcia.
• Climate: They have a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, high humidity, and seasonal rainfall.
• Biodiversity: It is known for its rich biodiversity, including coral reefs, various species of fish, and seabirds.
• Marine Protection: It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory Marine Protected Area, which aims to conserve its unique marine environment.

  Territorial Dispute and Historical Background

  • Dispute: The territorial dispute is between Mauritius and the United Kingdom (UK).
  • Historical Context: It was originally a part of the British colony of Mauritius.
  • Separation: In 1965, the UK separated it from Mauritius and established it as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
  • Lease to the US: In 1966, Britain leased Diego Garcia to the United States, which was seeking a military base in the region.
  • Mauritian Claim: Mauritius, which gained independence from Britain in 1968, has consistently maintained its claim over the Chagos Islands.
  • Current Status: In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that the UK had no right to govern the Chagos Islands and urged it to withdraw from the archipelago.