Is There a China Threat in Chagos Islands?

In October 2024, the United Kingdom and Mauritius announced the restoration of sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

- Upamanyu Basu

The deal had been severely criticized over potential security concerns for the British as well as Western countries, given the strategic location of the islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

Last month, in May 2025, the British Government finalized the deal of transfer of sovereignty, which was announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer, while talking about the strategically important US base of Diego Garcia, stated, "The strategic location of this base is of utmost significance to Britain."

This being said, under the terms of agreement, while sovereignty is transferred, the United Kingdom will continue to retain the military base of Diego Garcia, with a 99-year lease. The lease will be for more than $100 million annually, which is justified by citing Britain's defense and national security priorities. This arrangement aims to balance the long-standing issue of decolonization claims in the Global South, while ensuring that the strategic position of the islands remains operational for the United Kingdom vis-à-vis the United States.

About the Deal Between UK and Mauritius

The Chagos Islands stretches over 60 remote islands, situated in the heart of the Indian Ocean. These islands have been under British sovereignty since 1814, when the British formally took possession from France. Later, in 1965, the Chagos Islands were incorporated under the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) where the United Kingdom agreed with the United States to create a military base on one of the islands, i.e., Diego Garcia. In 1968, Mauritius gained independence, but the United Kingdom had retained control over the BIOT.

This was followed by a horrific episode of forced displacement of thousands of Chagossians, who were forced to leave the island and shift to the mainland of Mauritius or Seychelles.