Tag: GS 2 || International Relations || International Organizations || United Nations

Why In News?

The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to demand that Britain end its “colonial administration” of the Chagos Islands, which include the U.S. air base on Diego Garcia, and return them to Mauritius within six months.

Chagos Archipelago

A group of seven atolls comprising more than 60 individual tropical islands in the Indian Ocean about 500 kilometers (310 mi) south of the Maldives archipelago.

comprising more tropical islands in the Indian Ocean The sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago is disputed between the UK and Mauritius .

. The United Kingdom excised the archipelago from Mauritian territory in 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence in 1968.

Facts

UK is in breach of UN resolution 1514 which specifically banned the break-up of colonies before Independence.

which specifically banned the before Independence. At the International Court of Justice representatives of 22 countries have disputed over colonial history and the rights of the exiled islanders to return to their homeland.

Diego Garcia

Between 1968 and 1973 , the population was forcibly removed by the United Kingdom and the United States to establish an American base through intimidation of locals and denying the return of any who left the island.

, the population was forcibly removed by the United Kingdom and the United States to establish an American base of any who left the island. As of August 2018, Diego Garcia is the only inhabited island of the BIOT; the population is composed of military personnel and supporting contractors. It is one of two critical US bomber bases in the Asia Pacific region, along with Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Pacific Ocean.

The Dispute

On 25 February 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the United Kingdom should relinquish the archipelago.

the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the United Kingdom should relinquish the archipelago. On 22 May 2019, the United Nations passed a nonbinding resolution , by 116 to 6, demanding the UK return control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. (6 months time)

the United Nations passed a nonbinding resolution The non-binding vote was a rebuke to the U.K.

Decolonising The Chagos Archipelago

India has played an important role, away from the public glare, in this whole affair. India’s relations with Mauritius are unique and it was a foregone conclusion that India would solidly back Mauritius’s claims, given India’s active role in decolonization.

The U.S. and the U.K. tried to influence India to restrain Mauritius. Both countries conveyed to Mauritius they could not hand over the Chagos as long as it is required for defense purposes.

Resolving Diego Garcia

Eventually , the issue of sovereignty will have to be finessed by agreements that allow the continuation of the military base at Diego Garcia with guarantees that Mauritius will retain sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago. Mauritius will agree to lease out the island for a long period to the U.S. for maintaining the military base.

that allow the continuation of the military base at Diego Garcia with guarantees that Mauritius will retain sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago. Mauritius will agree to lease out the island for The U.K.’s role is more problematic in the aftermath of the ICJ ruling and the UN resolution. It would be best for London to step back and hand over sovereignty to Mauritius and simultaneously work out the leasing arrangement with the S. India can play a pivotal role in bringing such an agreement to fruition.

India’s Stand

India has supported Mauritius stand on the Chagos Archipelago.

India in its submission to ICJ has said that the Chagos Archipelago has been and continues to be with Mauritius and demanded sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago from Britain.

India stayed committed to its Indian Ocean neighbor Mauritius, as well as its anti-colonial credentials.

Mains Question

What’s India’s stand on Mauritius stand on the Chagos Archipelago?