India Reaffirms Support for Mauritius on Chagos Islands Issue

India supports Mauritius in negotiations with the UK regarding the Chagos Islands ahead of PM Modi’s visit. Talks are expected to focus on sovereignty issues following a recent announcement by the UK to return sovereignty to Mauritius. The new Mauritian government seeks to revisit terms of the agreement, with India reaffirming its long-standing position on decolonization.

India has expressed its support for Mauritius in its negotiations with the United Kingdom regarding the Chagos Islands. This was announced in preparation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to Mauritius on March 11 and 12. The discussions between the two leaders are expected to encompass the situation concerning the islands, which are situated in the Indian Ocean.

During a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri noted that Mauritius and the UK might have reached a mutually agreeable arrangement regarding the Chagos Islands. This follows the UK’s announcement from October last year about transferring sovereignty of the islands back to Mauritius under a significant agreement, which is anticipated to be part of the dialogue during PM Modi’s visit.

According to the accord, established when former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth was in office, the UK will relinquish sovereignty of the Chagos Islands while maintaining a 99-year lease on the military airbase located on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the group. However, the newly elected government of Mauritius under Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam has called for renewed discussions with the UK for a reassessment of the agreement.

Misri articulated India’s long-standing position regarding the decolonization issue, stating, “We have supported Mauritius in its stance on its sovereignty over Chagos, and this is obviously in keeping with our long-standing position with regard to decolonization and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries.” His comments underscored the importance of articulating support for partners such as Mauritius.

In conclusion, India reaffirms its backing for Mauritius as it pursues an agreement with the UK concerning the Chagos Islands. With the upcoming discussions between Prime Minister Modi and Mauritian Prime Minister Ramgoolam, the focus remains on reaching a favorable resolution. This development highlights India’s commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity within the context of decolonization.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com