UK cedes Chagos Island sovereignty to Mauritius, retains Diego Garcia airbase


  • World
  • Thursday, 03 Oct 2024

An undated file photo shows Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago and site of a major United States military base in the middle of the Indian Ocean leased from Britain in 1966. REUTERS/HO/U.S. Navy

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Thursday it would give up sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in a deal that would allow people displaced decades ago to return home while London retained use of the important UK-U.S. military base on Diego Garcia.

Britain said that the operation of Diego Garcia, a strategic airbase in the Indian Ocean jointly operated with the United States, was protected by the agreement, which also allows Mauritius to resettle the rest of the islands after its population was displaced.

Uh-oh! Daily quota reached.


Experience an ad-free unlimited reading on both web and app.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Pope Francis, off ventilation and stable, rested well overnight, Vatican says
India's trade minister heads to US for talks as Trump tariffs loom, officials say
Mikey Madison wins best actress Oscar for 'Anora'
'Anora' filmmaker Sean Baker wins Oscar for Best Director
Adrien Brody wins best actor for 'The Brutalist,' his second Oscar
USAID official warns of unnecessary deaths from Trump's foreign aid block, then says he's been put on leave
Zoe Saldana wins best supporting actress Oscar for 'Emilia Perez' role
Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez arrive at unpredictable Oscars
France, Britain propose partial one-month Ukraine truce, Macron tells Le Figaro
Drone hits apartment building in Ukraine's Kharkiv, injures seven, mayor says

Others Also Read