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British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty

Asked by Peter LambLabourForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 26 February 2025UIN 31256

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with his Mauritian counterpart on Chagossians returning to the Chagos Archipelago being able to undertake (a) subsistence and (b) commercial fishing activities in the Marine Protected Area.

Answered by Stephen Doughty

Mauritius will be free to resettle the islands, other than Diego Garcia. It will be for Mauritius to set the terms of and manage any future resettlement. Ministers and officials continue to engage with their Mauritian counterparts as part of routine bilateral engagement.

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