Chagos Archipelago

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mauritius (March 11-12, 2025) as the chief guest for its National Day, reaffirming India’s support for Mauritius’ claim over the Chagos Archipelago in line with its decolonization policy.

About Chagos Archipelago

• A group of seven atolls with over 60 islands in the Indian Ocean, located 500 km south of the Maldives.
• Historically part of France’s Indian Ocean territories (1715-1810), ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Paris (1814).
• Mauritius gained independence in 1968, but in 1965, Britain separated Chagos Archipelago to create the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
• Diego Garcia, the largest island, has housed a joint UK-US military base since the 1970s.
• The UK has agreed to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while maintaining the base.