Critics in Britain fear this would open access to China, but a British-US military base will remain even after Mauritius leadership.
With its breathtaking tropical landscape and distinctive geopolitical background, Diego Garcia, an isolated and clandestine island in the Indian Ocean, has captivated explorers for a considerable time. Positioned approximately midway between Africa and Southeast Asia as part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, this petite atoll is far from your typical tourist spot.
The British Indian Ocean Territory is not a tourist destination. Access is restricted, and a permit is required before travel. No commercial flights are allowed, and yacht permits are issued to allow safe passage through the outer Islands only. Access to Diego Garcia is only permitted to those with connections to the military facility.
Embarking on a journey to Diego Garcia is challenging, yet this aspect enhances its appeal. Although visiting may present difficulties due to military restrictions, its exceptional status renders it one of the globe’s most enthralling destinations.
On Thursday, Britain announced its decision to transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, citing that it ensures the future of the UK-U.S. Diego Garcia military base. This move potentially opens the doors for the return of individuals who were displaced many years ago.
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing its significance in ensuring the continued functionality of Diego Garcia, an airbase of paramount strategic importance in the Indian Ocean.
Diego Garcia was the last British overseas territory in Africa/
In 1965, Britain separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius, a former colony that gained independence three years later, to establish the British Indian Ocean Territory. Britain had been in control of the region since 1814.
In the 1970s, Britain displaced close to 2,000 individuals to Mauritius and the Seychelles as it cleared space for an airbase on Diego Garcia, the largest island. Britain had leased this island to the United States in 1966.
A non-binding resolution in the United Nations General Assembly in 2019 demanded that Britain give up control of the archipelago after wrongfully forcing the population to leave.
On X, Robert Jenrick, the frontrunner in the race to become the next Conservative leader, expressed concerns about this risky surrender that could potentially result in our territory being handed over to a Beijing ally.
