The Chagos Islands (Diego Garcia) Agreement Between Mauritius and UK Finalised
The Chagos Islands Agreement: Only a Semi-Victory for India in the Indian Ocean Region; US Military base in Diego Garcia Remains and UK Retains Sovereignty for 99 years more over the largest island.
The Chagos Islands Agreement: A Semi-Victory for India in the Indian Ocean Region
The agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including the largest island, Diego Garcia, announced today marks a new phase in Indian Ocean geopolitics. For India, this represents not only a diplomatic victory but also a significant strategic milestone in its quest for regional security and influence.
Here's a detailed analysis of the situation and its implications from an Indian perspective.
1. Background and Agreement Details
The UK has agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, including its smaller islands, to Mauritius, bringing an end to one of the last remnants of British colonial rule in Africa. The agreement, however, crucially allows the UK and the US to retain control of Diego Garcia, the largest and most strategically important island, for an initial period of 99 years. Diego Garcia hosts a vital US military base, a lynchpin for operations in the Middle East, South Asia, and the Pacific.
For Mauritius, the agreement paves the way for the resettlement of its displaced population, while securing its territorial claims. For the UK and US, the agreement preserves the status quo over Diego Garcia, ensuring continued military operations in a critical geopolitical theatre.
2. Geopolitical Significance of Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia holds immense military and strategic value, serving as a hub for US military activities across multiple continents. Its location in the Indian Ocean allows it to monitor major shipping routes, conduct intelligence operations, and deploy military assets at short notice. For India, Diego Garcia has always been an area of concern and opportunity, as its geopolitical interests in the Indian Ocean align with maintaining regional security and countering rising Chinese influence.
3. India’s Diplomatic Victory
India has consistently supported Mauritius’ claim to the Chagos Archipelago. From the time of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, India has opposed the presence of foreign military bases in the Indian Ocean, advocating for the region to be a "zone of peace." India's backing of Mauritius' sovereignty over the islands is rooted in its principled stance against colonialism and its support for decolonisation efforts globally.
The recent resolution, therefore, is seen as a diplomatic triumph for India, validating its long-standing position. By helping to resolve this dispute, India reinforces its image as a champion of post-colonial justice, further enhancing its role as a regional power with moral authority.
4. Strategic Opportunities for India
The resolution of the Chagos dispute opens up new strategic opportunities for India. With Diego Garcia continuing to be a major military outpost for the US, India could deepen its engagement with its Quad partners (US, Australia, and Japan) in securing the Indian Ocean. There is potential for collaboration in maritime security, surveillance, and even military operations to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.
India could also explore establishing a node of its Integrated Coastal Surveillance System on one of the outer islands in the Chagos Archipelago. Access to Diego Garcia’s deep lagoon could enhance India’s naval capabilities, providing a safe harbour in the centre of the Indian Ocean for logistics and operations.
5. Challenges and Considerations for India
While the agreement offers India strategic opportunities, it also presents challenges. Diego Garcia, long associated with colonial-era injustices, particularly the displacement of the Chagossian population, complicates India’s position. India has maintained strong ties with Mauritius, exemplified by a favourable Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), which has attracted significant global FDI into India. However, any move by India to establish a presence near Diego Garcia could invite accusations of hypocrisy, given its historical opposition to foreign military bases in the region.
Moreover, India must navigate the delicate balance between maintaining its strategic autonomy and strengthening ties with the US. Closer cooperation with the US on Diego Garcia could bolster India’s security in the Indian Ocean, but it risks being seen as a compromise of its independent foreign policy, especially as China’s influence continues to grow in the region.
6. India's Historical Stance on Diego Garcia
India’s opposition to foreign military bases in the Indian Ocean dates back to the 1970s, when Indira Gandhi championed the idea of an Indian Ocean free from external military influence. Over the years, India has maintained this position, opposing the US base on Diego Garcia and supporting Mauritius’ claim over the islands.
India also played a key role in supporting Mauritius’ case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where the UK’s separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius was deemed a violation of international law. This historical context underlines the depth of India’s engagement with the issue, reinforcing its principled stance on territorial integrity and decolonisation.
7. A New Era of Multilateral Cooperation
With the sovereignty issue largely resolved, India now has an opportunity to foster deeper multilateral cooperation in the region. Working alongside the US, UK, and Mauritius, India could take on a larger role in securing the Indian Ocean, ensuring freedom of navigation, and countering piracy and other maritime threats.
Moreover, India's presence in the Indian Ocean would act as a counterbalance to China's growing influence in the region, which has been a source of concern for New Delhi. With China establishing ports and military outposts in key Indian Ocean nations, India’s engagement in Diego Garcia and the surrounding region could help tip the balance back in its favour.
8. Decolonisation and India's Global Standing
The resolution of the Chagos dispute is not just a geopolitical victory for India, but also a moral one. India has long positioned itself as a leader of the Global South, advocating for the rights of post-colonial nations. This agreement reinforces India’s standing in global diplomacy, as it sets a precedent for addressing other colonial legacies, such as the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar. India’s role in this process could elevate its diplomatic clout in international forums, strengthening its case for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
9. Future Prospects
As India continues to emerge as a key player in the Indian Ocean, the UK-Mauritius agreement provides it with both a platform and a challenge. The decolonisation of Diego Garcia offers India the opportunity to work more closely with its Quad partners while maintaining its strategic autonomy. At the same time, India must be careful not to undermine its principled stand on decolonisation and its long-held position against foreign military bases.
Looking Forward
The UK-Mauritius agreement over the Chagos Archipelago marks a turning point in Indian Ocean geopolitics, and India stands to benefit from it both strategically and diplomatically. While the retention of Diego Garcia by the US and UK presents some challenges, India’s engagement in the region is likely to deepen, particularly through its growing cooperation within the Quad (India, the US, Japan, and Australia). As India navigates this complex geopolitical landscape, it must balance its historical positions with the evolving realities of great power competition in the Indian Ocean. This semi-victory could well be a stepping stone towards India’s larger goal of becoming a dominant player in regional security and global diplomacy.