New Delhi, 4 October (H.S.): We welcome the agreement

between the United Kingdom and Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty

over the Chagos archipelago, including Diego Garcia. This significant

understanding completes the decolonisation of Mauritius. The resolution of the longstanding

Chagos dispute after two years of negotiations, in compliance with

international law, is a welcome development. India has consistently supported

Mauritius’s claim for sovereignty over Chagos, in line with its principled

stand on decolonization and support for the sovereignty and territorial

integrity of nations, as well as its longstanding and close partnership with

Mauritius, said the Ministry of External Affairs in its statement on Agreement

between the United Kingdom and Mauritius regarding return of Mauritian

sovereignty over Chagos Archipelago.

India remains committed to

working with Mauritius and other like-minded partners in strengthening maritime

safety and security and contributing to enhanced peace and prosperity in the

Indian Ocean region, said the Ministry.

The UK and Mauritius have

reached a historic agreement to secure the strategically important UK-US

military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in regional stability

and international security. For the first time in more than 50 years, the

status of the base will be undisputed and legally secure, following a political

agreement between the UK and Mauritius.

The previous government

started negotiations on the future of British Indian Ocean Territory

(BIOT)/Chagos Archipelago, but years after the negotiations began issues have

remained unresolved. The agreement is strongly supported by international

partners including the United States, which has joint operation of the

strategic military base.

This government inherited a

situation where the long-term, secure operation of the Diego Garcia military

base was under threat, with contested sovereignty and ongoing legal challenges.

Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future. It will

strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, shut down any possibility

of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the

UK, as well as guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a close

Commonwealth partner, said UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Nimish kumar