Current Context: The United Kingdom has signed a landmark agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, ending decades of dispute over the territory.

About Chagos Archipelago:

• Location: Central Indian Ocean, approximately 1,600 km south of the Indian subcontinent.
• Composition: Consists of seven atolls, with Diego Garcia being the largest and hosting a significant US military base.
• History: Purchased by Britain in 1965; Mauritius claims it was coerced into the deal for its independence.
• Biodiversity: Great Chagos Bank supports high-quality coral reefs.
• Strategic Importance: Home to a U.S. military base on Diego Garcia.
• Agreement: UK to pay Mauritius $136 million annually to lease back the base for at least 99 years.