British Indian Ocean Territory: Territorial Waters
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), if he will set out the access to waters within the (a) 12 nautical miles zone; and (b) 24 nautical miles zone that (i) fisheries vessels and (ii) shipping will have; and what procedures will be used to grant vessels access.
Answered by Stephen Doughty
The UK will have the right to manage the area up to 12 nautical miles around Diego Garcia for defence purposes. Between 12 and 24 nautical miles, no construction, installations, structures or sensors can be installed without the UK's agreement. Fishing and commercial shipping vessels will have the right of innocent passage within the territorial sea of the Chagos Archipelago, as described in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which precludes use of force, weapons exercises, propaganda, launching of aircraft or military devices or interfering with communications systems.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →