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Diego Garcia: Military Bases

Asked by Mr Mark FrancoisConservativeForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 6 June 2025UIN 54637

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 2 of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), if he will define the term expeditiously inform; and what protocols are in place regarding the (a) timeframe and (b) nature of such communications with the Government of Mauritius.

Answered by Stephen Doughty

Any notification will take place after the event and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information. Agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory is standard practice in basing arrangements. Additionally, the UN Charter has a requirement to notify the UN of military action taken in self-defence.

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