Ramgoolam: Mauritius Sovereignty Over Chagos Is Non-Negotiable

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has once again made clear that Mauritius's claim to sovereignty over the Chagos Islands is absolute and will not be subject to any compromise in ongoing negotiations with the United Kingdom and the United States. Speaking publicly on the matter, Ramgoolam described sovereignty as "non-negotiable" — a position he has maintained consistently as diplomatic talks over the future of the Chagos archipelago continue at an international level. **What is the Chagos dispute?** The Chagos Islands — also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) — are a group of islands in the Indian Ocean that Mauritius has long claimed as its own territory. The UK separated the islands from Mauritius in 1965, three years before Mauritian independence, to create a military base. The United States operates the Diego Garcia military base there, one of the most strategically significant installations in the world. In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion stating that the UK's administration of the Chagos Islands was unlawful and should end as rapidly as possible. The United Nations General Assembly subsequently called on the UK to withdraw. Despite this, the UK has retained control. In October 2024, the UK and Mauritius announced they had reached an agreement in principle that would see Mauritius gain sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, while the UK and US would retain the right to operate the Diego Garcia base under a long-term lease. However, the deal stalled after the change of government in the UK and under pressure from the United States. **Where do talks stand now?** Negotiations remain ongoing and sensitive. The involvement of the US — under the Trump administration — has added complexity, with Washington reportedly reluctant to support arrangements that could be seen as weakening its strategic position at Diego Garcia. Ramgoolam's latest statement appears designed to reassure Mauritians that the government will not accept a deal that falls short of genuine sovereignty, regardless of pressure from larger powers. **What this means** For Mauritius, the Chagos question is not just a territorial issue — it is tied to national identity, the rights of the Chagossian community (many of whom were forcibly removed from the islands), and the country's standing in international law. Any final agreement will have major implications for Mauritius's control over its exclusive economic zone, potential resource rights, and its relationship with Western partners. For expats, investors, and the diaspora, this is a long-running story that could reshape Mauritius's geopolitical position in the Indian Ocean region for decades to come. Source: Le Défi Media