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The Indian government worked behind the scenes in making it happen by playing a quiet but important role in UK’s decision of transferring the sovereignity of the islands to Mauritius, sources said.
India has welcomed the deicison by UK to return the sovreignity of Chagos archipelago to Mauritius. (Credit: Reuters)
New Delhi: India has welcomed the UK’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, to Mauritius under a historic agreement. New Delhi described this development as a significant milestone, marking the completion of Mauritius’s decolonization process.
“We welcome the agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, including Diego Garcia,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
It added the resolution of the “longstanding Chagos dispute” after two years of negotiations, in compliance with international law, is a “welcome development”.
Sources in the Indian government said New Delhi worked behind the scenes in making this happen by playing a quiet but important role.
“India firmly backed the principled Mauritian position, supporting its stance on the need to do away with the last vestiges of decolonisation. At the same time, it consistently encouraged both sides to negotiate with an open mind and with a view to achieving mutually beneficial outcomes. It is believed that the outcome is a win for all sides involved and will reinforce long-term security in the Indian Ocean region,” sources added.
The MEA said India is committed to working with Mauritius and other like-minded partners in firming maritime safety and security and contributing to promoting peace and prosperity in the region.
The political agreement regarding the return of the islands is subject to a treaty and supporting legal instruments being finalised and both sides have committed to complete this as quickly as possible, the UK High Commission in India said.
For an initial period of 99 years, the UK will be authorised to exercise with respect to Diego Garcia the sovereign rights and authorities of Mauritius required to ensure the continued operation of the base well into the next century, a joint statement from the UK and Mauritius said.
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