Relevance: GS II (International Relations) & GS I (Strategic Geography)

Source: The Indian Express

1. The Context: A “Stupid” Deal?

The geopolitical waters of the Indian Ocean are turbulent again. US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized the United Kingdom’s recent decision to hand over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

• The Critique: He termed the move an act of “weakness,” arguing that transferring such strategic territory invites influence from adversaries like China and Russia.
• The Deal (2025): The UK agreed to give ownership of the islands to Mauritius to complete the “decolonization” process. However, there is a catch: the UK will lease back the Diego Garcia military base for at least 99 years.

2. Why the Conflict? (History & Geography)

• The Split: In 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence, the UK detached the Chagos archipelago to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
• The Eviction: Between 1967-73, the UK forcibly expelled ~2,000 Chagossians to build a massive joint military base with the US on the largest island, Diego Garcia.
• The Legal Turn: In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the UK’s occupation was unlawful. The UN General Assembly subsequently demanded the UK withdraw.

3. Strategic “Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier”

• Diego Garcia is crucial for US global power. It supports long-range bombers and nuclear submarines that patrol the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific.
• The Fear: Critics argue that even with a lease, if Mauritius (which has growing economic ties with Beijing) owns the land, China could eventually set up surveillance posts nearby (“Salami Slicing”).

4. India’s Balancing Act

India finds itself in a sweet spot:

• Principle: India supports Mauritius (an old ally) based on its anti-colonial stance.
• Pragmatism: India is quietly relieved that the US military base remains. A strong US presence in Diego Garcia is a necessary counterbalance to China’s expanding “String of Pearls” in the Indian Ocean.

UPSC Value Box

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Q. With reference to the Chagos Archipelago, frequently mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:

1. It is located in the Pacific Ocean, roughly equidistant from Tanzania and Indonesia.
2. The sovereignty of the archipelago has been a long-standing dispute between the United Kingdom and Mauritius.
3. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that the United Kingdom’s administration of the islands is unlawful.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c)