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Chagos Islands: Sovereignty

Asked by Mr Mark FrancoisConservativeForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 9 June 2025UIN 54682

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 6(e) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department would be able to take under the Agreement if the Government of Mauritius breached the terms of the Agreement.

Answered by Stephen Doughty

Both sides have negotiated this Agreement in good faith and we are confident that Mauritius intends to uphold it in full, just as we will. Were an issue to arise in relation to the interpretation or application of the Agreement, that would be resolved in accordance with the dispute settlement provisions in the treaty.   While any disputes were being resolved, the Agreement would remain in force and we would have the full legal basis to continue to exercise all the rights and authorities necessary for the operation of the base, as well as the legally binding protections to keep our adversaries out of the area.

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