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.