UK’s Decision to Transfer Sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius

General Studies Paper-2

Context: The recent decision by the UK to transfer the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius marks a significant moment in both international relations and maritime geopolitics.

• This move addresses long-standing colonial legacies while reshaping the strategic landscape of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), particularly for countries like India, the UK, and the US.

Resolution of a Colonial Legacy

• Historical Context:
• The Chagos Archipelago has been a point of contention for decades. The sovereignty dispute arose from the forced displacement of Chagossians and the UK’s retention of the islands after Mauritius’ independence in 1968.
• International Pressure:
• The UK’s decision was heavily influenced by mounting pressure from various global bodies, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the UN General Assembly, both of which had called for decolonization and the return of the islands to Mauritius.
• India has been a vocal advocate of this process, aligning with its broader decolonization agenda and supporting Mauritius’ claims.

Strategic Implications of the Transfer

• US-UK Interests:
• While sovereignty has been transferred, the deal preserves the US-UK control of the Diego Garcia military base for the next 99 years, ensuring both nations maintain their strategic foothold in the region.
• Diego Garcia is a vital base for US military operations, particularly in the Western Indian Ocean, and is critical for US nuclear submarines and naval logistics.
• India’s Role:
• As the principal security provider in the Eastern Indian Ocean, India views the development from both a tactical and strategic perspective.
• On the one hand, enhanced access to Diego Garcia could provide valuable operational advantages for India’s Navy, such as maritime patrolling, anti-piracy operations, and intelligence gathering.
• However, India’s proximity to the US military’s prime base in the Indian Ocean raises concerns about strategic autonomy.
• Historically, India has maintained a balance in its foreign policy and avoided being seen as aligning too closely with any single global power.

Challenges to India’s Strategic Autonomy

• Balancing Relations:
• India’s long-standing policy of strategic autonomy faces new challenges with the Diego Garcia development.
• Enhanced cooperation with the US could be perceived as a tilt toward the Western bloc, complicating India’s relationships with other key partners, such as Russia, Iran, and the Middle East.
• This could strain ties, especially given the US-Israel alliance and rising tensions with Iran, a significant partner for India in terms of energy and strategic interests.
• China’s Presence in the Indian Ocean:
• The transfer also needs to be viewed through the lens of China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean.
• China has established a naval base in Djibouti and is expected to develop additional bases in Pakistan.
• India is thus concerned about China’s increasing maritime activities and its efforts to establish a dominant naval presence in the region.

India’s Opportunity in the Indian Ocean Region

• Collaboration with Mauritius:
• The sovereignty transfer offers India an opportunity to enhance maritime cooperation with Mauritius.
• India can assist in capacity-building efforts, particularly in monitoring Mauritius’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and protecting its maritime assets from threats like illegal fishing, often associated with Chinese vessels.
• Strengthening Mauritius’ maritime security is in India’s interest, as it can help mitigate China’s influence in the region without direct confrontation.
• Wider Representation:
• The agreement positions India to collaborate with Mauritius on maritime security, enhancing its influence in the Western Indian Ocean and counterbalancing China’s expanding role.
• India will need to do this while maintaining its independent status and avoiding alignment with the Western political agenda in the Middle East.

Geopolitical Calculations

• India’s Geopolitical Strategy:
• India must tread carefully to protect its interests without appearing overly aligned with Western powers.
• While India welcomes the continuation of US control over Diego Garcia—due to its close military ties with the US—New Delhi will likely adopt a measured response to ensure it retains its non-aligned image.
• Global South Leadership:
• By supporting Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, India reinforces its leadership role in the Global South and its commitment to decolonization.
• This strengthens its diplomatic standing and ensures India remains a key player in Indian Ocean geopolitics.

Conclusion

• The transfer of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius marks a significant turning point in the Indian Ocean’s strategic landscape. By collaborating with Mauritius on maritime security, India can enhance its presence in the Western Indian Ocean while maintaining its image as an independent regional power.