The British authorities introduced Thursday it would switch sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius whereas making certain the continuation of the important thing U.Ok.-U.S. navy base on the strategically vital archipelago.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated the settlement secures the very important navy base at Diego Garcia, the biggest within the chain of islands, for the longer term.
The U.Ok. authorities stated with out the deal the safe operation of the navy base could be underneath menace, with contested sovereignty and authorized challenges, together with by varied worldwide courts and tribunals. As a part of the deal, the U.Ok. will retain the sovereignty of Diego Garcia for an preliminary interval of 99 years.
“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 U.K., as well as guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a close Commonwealth partner,” Lammy stated.
The deal was strongly supported by worldwide companions together with the U.S., British officers stated.
The settlement should be signed off in a treaty and is dependent upon finalized authorized processes. Both sides have dedicated to finish this as rapidly as doable.
The Chagos Islands have been on the coronary heart of what Britain calls the British Indian Ocean Territory since 1965 after they have been siphoned away from Mauritius, a U.Ok. territory that gained independence three years later.
The U.S. Navy base at Diego Garcia was constructed within the Seventies and offers what American authorities have described as “an all however indispensable platform” for safety operations within the Middle East, South Asia and East Africa.
Around 1,500 inhabitants from the Chagos Islands have been displaced to make manner for the U.S. base. It’s unclear instantly whether or not they and their descendants, who’re primarily residing within the U.Ok., Mauritius and the Seychelles, can have a proper to return.
In an announcement, the White House stated President Joe Biden applauded the “historic agreement” on the status of the Chagos Islands. It called the Diego Garcia base vital in preserving “nationwide, regional, and international safety.”
“The settlement secures the efficient operation of the joint facility on Diego Garcia into the subsequent century,” the assertion stated.
“This agreement affirms Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago while granting the United Kingdom the authority to exercise the sovereign rights of Mauritius with respect to Diego Garcia,” it added.
Source: www.dailysabah.com