“This is more than a bilateral agreement. It is a victory for international law, for postcolonial justice, and above all, for the Chagossian people,” said Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius”

UK Recognises Mauritian Sovereignty Over Chagos Archipelago in Historic Agreement

The UK has agreed to recognise Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, under a landmark accord signed in London this week. The deal ends decades of dispute, maintains the US-UK military base under Mauritian authority, and sets out a framework for cooperation, resettlement, and development funding. At a press conference on Friday 23 May in Port Louis, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, joined by Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger and Attorney-General Gavin Glover, detailed key provisions, including a £40 million Chagossian Trust Fund, a multi-year financial package, limited resettlement, and the creation of a Joint Commission with U.S. observer status.

The United Kingdom has formally recognised Mauritius’s sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, ending a decades-long territorial dispute and paving the way for resettlement and reconciliation with the displaced Chagossian community.

The historic agreement, signed in London on 22 May, was presented to the public by Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam at a press conference on Friday, 23 May, alongside Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger and Attorney-General Gavin Glover. The Prime Minister described the accord as the “culmination of nearly 60 years of struggle for dignity and justice.”

A Long Struggle for Decolonisation

The Chagos Archipelago, a chain of islands in the Indian Ocean, was detached from Mauritius by the UK in 1965, three years before the country gained independence. Its largest island, Diego Garcia, was later leased to the United States for use as a military base, resulting in the forced removal of hundreds of Chagossians.

Under the newly signed agreement, the UK formally recognises Mauritian sovereignty over the entire archipelago, including Diego Garcia. However, Mauritius has agreed to allow the UK to continue operating the military base there under a specific framework designed to ensure its long-term and secure use.

Prime Minister Ramgoolam said the agreement marked “the final chapter in Mauritius’s decolonisation process,” and paid tribute to generations of Mauritians and Chagossians who have campaigned for the return of the islands. He acknowledged the roles played by key figures, including his father, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, who led Mauritius to independence, and former Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth, who brought the issue before the International Court of Justice in 2019.

“It is the culmination of nearly 60 years of struggle for dignity and justice”

Special recognition was also given to leading Chagossian activists Olivier Bancoult and Fernand Mandarin, whose decades of advocacy helped keep the community’s plight in the international spotlight.

Financial Support and Path to Resettlement

The agreement includes a multi-tiered financial package from the UK government. Mauritius will receive annual payments of £165 million for the first three years, followed by £120 million annually thereafter, with increases indexed from the 14^th year. An additional £45 million per year has been earmarked over 25 years for development projects.

A £40 million Chagossian Trust Fund will also be established by the end of 2027. It is intended to support social and economic programmes, as well as resettlement on islands other than Diego Garcia.

Resettlement has long been a central demand of the displaced Chagossian community, many of whom live in the UK, Mauritius, and Seychelles. While Diego Garcia will remain off-limits due to its military use, the agreement opens the door to a return to other parts of the archipelago under Mauritian administration.

Accountability, Partnership and Environmental Commitment

The agreement also acknowledges the “deeply regrettable legacy” of the forced displacement of the Chagossians, and sets the stage for greater UK-Mauritius cooperation through a new strategic partnership. Annual dialogues will focus on maritime security, climate change, and sustainable development.

A Joint Commission will oversee implementation, with the United States – still responsible for the military base – granted observer status.

Deputy Prime Minister Bérenger called the agreement “a moment of emotion and pride,” and announced that a high-level Mauritian delegation, including members of the Chagossian community, will travel to the archipelago later this year. A new national committee chaired by the Prime Minister and including Chagossian representatives will oversee future development and resettlement projects.

DPM Bérenger emphasised that any development on the archipelago would be done in a way that respects the islands’ ecological fragility. “This agreement is not only about sovereignty and justice – it is also about sustainability,” he said.

A Turning Point for Mauritius and the Region

The Chagos dispute has long symbolised the unfinished business of decolonisation. In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that the UK’s continued administration of the archipelago was unlawful, and called for its return to Mauritius “as rapidly as possible”, a ruling backed by the United Nations General Assembly and much of the international community.

Dr Ramgoolam said Friday’s announcement was a response to those calls. “This is more than a bilateral agreement. It is a victory for international law, for postcolonial justice, and above all, for the Chagossian people,” he stressed.

The agreement must now be ratified before it enters into force, but for many in Mauritius, it already represents the resolution of a long and painful chapter in the nation’s history.

“India has consistently supported Mauritius’s legitimate claim over the Chagos”

India has extended strong support for the landmark treaty signed between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius, which formally returns sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago – including Diego Garcia – to Mauritius. In a statement released from New Delhi, the Government of India hailed the treaty as a “milestone achievement” and a step forward in completing the decolonization process of Mauritius, in line with international law and the principles of a rules-based global order.

The agreement, signed following the bilateral understanding reached in October 2024, resolves one of the most enduring sovereignty disputes in the Indian Ocean region. It brings closure to decades of legal and diplomatic efforts led by Mauritius to assert its rightful claim over the Chagos Archipelago, which had been detached by the United Kingdom prior to Mauritian independence in 1968.

“India remains committed to working closely with Mauritius to strengthen maritime security and regional stability”

India reaffirmed its unwavering support for Mauritius’s position, citing its long-standing commitment to decolonization, respect for national sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of states. “India has consistently supported Mauritius’s legitimate claim over the Chagos Archipelago, in keeping with its principled position on decolonization,” the statement reads.

As a trusted and close partner of Mauritius, India also underscored its broader strategic commitment to the region. “India remains committed to working closely with Mauritius and other like-minded countries to strengthen maritime security and regional stability, and ensure peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region,” the statement concluded.

The treaty is widely seen as a diplomatic victory for Mauritius and a reaffirmation of international legal norms, notably following the 2019 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice and the subsequent United Nations General Assembly resolution, both of which supported Mauritius’s claim.

The United States Welcomes UK-Mauritius Agreement on Chagos Archipelago

The United States has officially welcomed the historic agreement reached between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius concerning the future of the Chagos Archipelago. In a press statement issued by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the agreement was hailed as a significant diplomatic achievement and a reflection of constructive international cooperation.

Secretary Rubio commended both the United Kingdom and Mauritius for their “leadership, vision, and commitment” in ensuring that the Diego Garcia base – a key strategic asset – remains fully operational under the terms of the agreement. He further emphasized the United States’ commitment to working closely with both nations to enhance cooperation in pursuit of regional peace and stability.

“We stand ready to continue our collaboration to promote peace, security, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and beyond”

U.S. Security Interests Safeguarded

Following what Secretary Rubio described as a comprehensive interagency review, the Trump Administration concluded that the new agreement ensures the “long-term, stable, and effective operation” of the joint U.S.-UK military facility on Diego Garcia. This facility is considered a critical element of the United States’ security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region, and a key enabler of global military readiness.

According to Secretary Rubio, President Trump personally expressed his support for the agreement during his recent meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House. The President is said to have welcomed what he described as a “monumental achievement” that safeguards strategic interests while fostering diplomatic alignment among key allies.

The statement also contextualized the agreement within the broader framework of U.S.-UK bilateral relations. Highlighting the recently announced U.S.-UK trade deal on May 8, Secretary Rubio remarked that the strength of the transatlantic partnership extends beyond defense to encompass economic growth, innovation, and shared leadership on global issues.

While the United States is not a direct party to the UK-Mauritius agreement, Secretary Rubio reaffirmed that the U.S. retains operational responsibility for the Naval Support Facility on Diego Garcia. The facility will continue its role in supporting forward-deployed U.S. forces. “We stand ready to continue our collaboration to promote peace, security, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and beyond,” Secretary Rubio stated.