Maldives Demands UK Reopen Chagos Sovereignty Talks Amid Mauritius Handover
· World · Al Jazeera, Telegraph India
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has written to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, urging him to reopen sovereignty talks over the Chagos Islands, which the UK previously agreed to hand over to Mauritius in May 2025. The Maldives claims historical ties and geographical proximity—just 500km away—as justification, contrasting with Mauritius’ location over 2,000km distant. The archipelago hosts the key US-UK military base on Diego Garcia, a 99-year lease critical for strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean. Muizzu criticised the UK for bypassing consultations, calling the handover a ‘rectifiable oversight’ and highlighting shared cultural and conservation ties. The UK’s Foreign Office has not yet responded, while the US’s opposition earlier delayed the deal, citing concerns over Mauritius’ stance on the archipelago.
Why it matters
The dispute directly impacts the UK’s military strategy in the Indian Ocean, as Diego Garcia’s base remains vital for global security operations. For the Maldives, it raises sovereignty stakes in a region where geopolitical influence is increasingly contested, while Mauritius faces potential diplomatic fallout if the UK reverses its decision. The US’s role as a leaseholder adds another layer of complexity, as its stance could further delay or alter the sovereignty transfer.
Read the original report — Al Jazeera
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