Diego Garcia: Military Bases
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Annex 1, Clause 2, of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), published on 22 May 2025, what the agreed advanced timing is to inform Mauritius of any armed attack on a third state emanating from the Base.
Answered by Luke Pollard
As the hon. Gentleman will recall from his time as a Defence Minister, it is standard practice for basing arrangements to include an agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory. Additionally, the UN Charter has a requirement to notify the UN of military action taken in self-defence. Any notification to Mauritius will take place after the event and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information. The United Kingdom will inform Mauritius through normal diplomatic channels.
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