Vatican City, Aug 24(HS):
Pope Leo XIV has welcomed Britain’s decision to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, calling it a “significant victory” for displaced Chagossians after decades of struggle.
Addressing a delegation of 15 members of the Chagos Refugees Group in Vatican City, the Pope described the agreement as a long-overdue step toward correcting a “grave injustice” and expressed hope that Mauritian authorities would ensure the islanders’ right to return home.
Under the treaty signed in May, Mauritius will assume sovereignty over the archipelago while allowing the UK and US to continue operating the Diego Garcia military base under a 99-year lease. The deal includes annual compensation of about £101 million to Mauritius and enshrines security provisions, including a 24-mile buffer zone around the base and UK veto powers over access to the islands.
The settlement, which still requires ratification in London and Port Louis, has split opinion in Britain. Critics, including opposition leaders, branded it an act of “national self-harm” that could embolden China in the Indian Ocean, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended it as vital to safeguarding UK security interests.
For Mauritius, the treaty marks the culmination of a six-decade campaign. Attorney General Gavin Glover hailed it as the conclusion of a “60-year struggle,” though some Chagossians have voiced discontent, with a recent legal challenge from two women born in Diego Garcia dismissed by the High Court.
The Pope framed the accord as more than a geopolitical settlement, calling it a powerful reminder that “all people must be respected in their identity and right to live on their land.”
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar