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Chagos Islands: Sovereignty

Asked by Priti PatelConservativeForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 3 February 2025UIN 26468

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with US counterparts on the (i) the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory and (ii) the military base at Diego Garcia since 20 January 2025.

Answered by Stephen Doughty

The Foreign Secretary spoke with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 27 January. The Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State discussed how long-term protection of the base on Diego Garcia is a shared UK and US priority. Ministers and officials will continue to engage closely with US counterparts as they consider the details of the proposed Treaty between the UK and Mauritius on the sovereignty of the Territory.

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