India has reaffirmed its support for Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, a long-disputed territory between Mauritius and the UK.
Background of the Dispute
- 1968 – Mauritius gains independence from the UK, but Britain retains control over Chagos.
- 2023 – UK officially recognizes Mauritius’ sovereign rights over Chagos but retains control of Diego Garcia, home to a UK-US military base.
- The deal is awaiting final confirmation from Washington.
- Criticism: Some opposition comes from the US, UK, Mauritius, and native Chagossians.
Geographical Significance
- Location: Indian Ocean, about 1,600 km northeast of Mauritius.
- Size:
- Chagos Archipelago – 56.1 sq km
- Diego Garcia (Largest Island) – 32.5 sq km (Comparable to Lakshadweep in India)
(Source: Indian Express)
