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Chagos Islands: Sovereignty

Asked by Priti PatelConservativeForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 3 November 2025UIN 85755

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has had discussions with the Government of Mauritius on the potential presence of third countries in the Chagos Archipelago following the transfer of sovereignty under the terms of UK-Mauritius Treaty.

Answered by Stephen Doughty

The treaty contains robust provisions to protect the base, including a 24 nautical mile buffer zone around Diego Garcia and a ban on foreign security forces anywhere in the archipelago. Any suggestions that Mauritius has been negotiating a lease on Peros Banhos are false. This was confirmed by the Mauritian Attorney General in a public statement on 20 October 2025.

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