India supports UK-Mauritius deal on Chagos Islands in Indian Ocean

New Delhi: India has welcomed the signing of the treaty between Mauritius and the United Kingdom for the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.

“The formal resolution of the longstanding Chagos dispute through this bilateral treaty is a milestone achievement and a positive development for the region. This is further to the understanding between the two sides reached in October 2024 and marks the culmination of the process of decolonisation of Mauritius in the spirit of international law and rules-based order,” the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi stated.

India has consistently supported Mauritius’s legitimate claim over the Chagos Archipelago in keeping with its principled position on decolonisation, respect for sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of nations, the MEA noted.

“As a steadfast and longstanding partner of Mauritius, India remains committed to working closely with Mauritius and other like-minded countries to strengthen maritime security and regional stability and ensure peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region,” Randhir Jaiswal, the MEA spokesperson, stated.