Chagos Islands: A Disputed Paradise in the Indian Ocean

The Chagos Archipelago, often simply called the Chagos Islands, is a remote chain of over 60 islands in the central Indian Ocean. Despite its idyllic beauty and strategic importance, Chagos is at the heart of one of the modern era’s most contentious geopolitical and humanitarian disputes.

This collection of islands, under British control but claimed by Mauritius, has become synonymous with colonial legacy, military strategy, ecological conservation, and the rights of displaced people.

Geographic Reference

The Chagos Archipelago is roughly 2,200 kilometres northeast Mauritius and 500 kilometres south of the Maldives.

Diego Garcia is the most famous of the seven atolls, with more than 60 tropical islands. The islands span roughly 56 square kilometers and are encircled by 15,000 square kilometers of some of the world’s most biodiverse and healthiest coral reefs.

Shaped like a horseshoe, Diego Garcia is the central hub because of its strategic location, excellent natural harbor, and size. The island defined by rich marine life, pristine sandy beaches, and blue lagoons—a picture-perfect paradise on the surface.

Colonialism: Strategic Significance

The Chagos Islands have been under many kinds of authority since the European Age of Discovery. The islands now belonged to the British colony known as Mauritius.

In 1965, just three years before Mauritius gained its freedom, the UK split Chagos from Mauritius to establish the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).

Driven mainly by geopolitical concerns, especially the Cold War, this divisive action was

Not too long later, in 1966, the UK leased Diego Garcia to the US to build a military post. The facility has since become a crucial strategic site for American military activities in the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa.

Its significance rose especially during the Gulf Wars, the Afghanistan conflict, and recent anti-pirate operations around the Horn of Africa.

The Displacement of the Chagossians

Arguably, the forcible relocation of Chago’s indigenous population—the Chagossians or Ilois—defines the saddest chapter in Chago’s history. British officials forcibly relocated about 1,500 islanders from their native country between 1968 and 1973 to create room for the U.S. military station.

Most were moved to Mauritius, Seychelles, and the UK, where they encountered poverty, prejudice, and cultural breakdown. Few people supported the resettlement, and many Chagossians spent years living in low-income or slums.

Many of the evicted Chagossians and their descendants still advocate their right of return, claiming that they were illegally and ethically banished from their country.

Legal Battles and International Condemnation

Over the past five decades, the Chagos conflict has been played out in many ways. Mauritius has often asserted that the 1965 Chagos split was unconstitutional, against UN decolonisation rules.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) published a landmark advisory opinion in 2019 declaring that the UK’s ongoing Chagos Archipelago administration was illegal and that Mauritius should “as rapidly as possible” have the territory returned.

The United Nations General Assembly approved the decision, mostly by voting in favor of a motion requiring Britain to give up power.

The UK disagreed with the ICJ decision, contending that Chagos’s sovereignty remained bilateral and that the opinion was non-binding. Furthermore, the British government considers it impossible to return the islands as long as the military facility on Diego Garcia is vital for world security.

The Role of the United States

The United States has played a crucial, albeit controversial, role in the Chagos issue. The military base on Diego Garcia is considered a strategic asset, providing logistical support and surveillance capabilities across a vast region.

Despite being a long-standing proponent of human rights and self-determination, the U.S. has not publicly supported the return of the Chagossians or the archipelago to Mauritius. Critics argue that America’s silence compromises its credibility on international justice issues.

The US has no stake in the sovereignty dispute; its lease is with the UK, not Mauritius. That said, shifting international opinion and potential diplomatic pressure could impact the future of the US base.

Environmental Significance and Conservation Efforts

Paradoxically, the absence of human habitation (except for military personnel) has made Chagos one of the world’s most pristine and ecologically diverse marine ecosystems. In 2010, the British government declared the area a Marine Protected Area (MPA), banning commercial fishing and extractive activities.

While environmentalists lauded this move, Chagossian groups and Mauritians criticised it, claiming it was a plot to further block resettlement by declaring the area off-limits. Indeed, leaked diplomatic cables suggested that political and strategic goals partially motivated the MPA designation.

Scientific research has shown that the Chagos reefs are among the least disturbed coral reef systems globally. They provide a crucial refuge for endangered marine species, including hawksbill turtles, giant trevallies, and reef sharks. The islands also serve as vital breeding grounds for seabirds.

Chagossian Voices and Cultural Revival

Over the years, the displaced Chagossians have become more vocal and organised in their campaigns for justice. Activist groups like the Chagos Refugees Group have worked tirelessly to raise awareness, lobby governments, and pursue legal redress.

In the UK, where a large Chagossian community exists, protests, petitions, and even legal victories have occurred, including a British court ruling in 2000 that declared the removal of the Chagossians unlawful.

However, subsequent legislation and appeals by the British government overturned the right of return.

Despite the setbacks, Chagossians continue to celebrate and preserve their cultural identity through music, language (a French-based Creole), and oral traditions. There have been initiatives to teach younger generations about their heritage; some have visited the islands under special arrangements.

Future Prospects and Pathways to Resolution

The road ahead for Chagos remains complex and uncertain. A peaceful and just resolution will require balancing security, sovereignty, human rights, and environmental conservation.

Here are a few potential pathways:

Negotiated Sovereignty Transfer: The UK and Mauritius could negotiate a gradual handover of the archipelago, possibly with guarantees for the continued operation of the U.S. base and the preservation of marine ecosystems.
Right of Return with Conditions: Chagossians could return under controlled and sustainable conditions that align with ecological preservation and international security.
Joint Administration: A co-governance model involving the UK, Mauritius, and Chagossians could ensure shared territory management.
International Mediation: Global institutions like the United Nations or the African Union could facilitate dialogue to ensure compliance with international law and respect for human rights.

The UK agrees to a £ 101 million-a-year contract to provide services. Islands in Chagos

Sir Keir Starmer has signed a contract to give Mauritius the Chagos Islands and lease back a vital military site for £101m annually.

The prime minister said the arrangement was the only means to preserve the long-term viability of the base and had guaranteed “strong protections” for the UK, particularly against “malign influences.”

Deal provisions would allow Mauritius to acquire island sovereignty from the UK. Still, it would let the US and the UK run a military post on Diego Garcia for 99 years.

Overcoming a last-minute legal challenge mounted by two Chagossians, the UK signed the pact.

After adjusting for inflation, the government will pay Mauritius an average of £101m a year for 99 years—a “net cost” of £3.4bn.

The prime minister told a news gathering that the UK had to “act now” or risk Mauritius’ legal action compromising the Diego Garcia base. He said the base is “one of the most significant contributions we make to our security relationship with the United States.”

Sir Keir said at the UK’s Northwood military headquarters, “President Trump has welcomed the deal with other allies because they see how strategically important this base is and that we cannot give the ground to those who would want to hurt us.”

“If we did not agree to this deal, the legal situation would mean that we would not be able to prevent China or any other nation from setting up their bases on the outer islands or conducting joint exercises near our base,” the prime minister remarked.

“No responsible government could let that happen.”

The agreement creates a 24-mile perimeter around Diego Garcia, whereby nothing can be developed without UK permission.

The UK can also prohibit access to other archipelago islands, restricting foreign military and civilian operations.

John Healey, the defence secretary, is scheduled to discuss the future of the military base before Parliament.

Opposition lawmakers in the UK have fiercely criticised the agreement, questioning its expense and saying a crucial military base shouldn’t be given to a nation with close ties to China.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed it illustrated “Labour chaos” ahead of the deal’s signature.

“We shouldn’t be paying to hand Mauritius British land,” she remarked.

“It is utterly wrong that Labour is negotiating something that sees the British taxpayer in hock for possible billions.”

Earlier, Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice joined a group of Chagossian demonstrators outside the High Court, stating he wants to halt “another Starmer surrender sell-off.”

Conclusion

The story of Chagos Island is not merely about a strategic military base or an environmental sanctuary. It is a profound symbol of colonialism’s legacies, the clash of interests between global powers and indigenous communities, and the ongoing struggle for justice in the 21st century.

As the world becomes increasingly attuned to the values of equity, sovereignty, and ecological sustainability, the fate of the Chagos Archipelago may become a litmus test for how the international community handles historic wrongs and modern complexities.