As one of the last remnants of British colonial control in the Indian Ocean, and host to a major US military base, the Chagos Archipelago has long been entangled in a fraught geopolitical contest. So the visit this month of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mauritius to mark his country’s explicit support for Mauritius’ sovereignty over Chagos is significant.
Originally part of Mauritius, the United Kingdom detached Chagos in 1965 before Mauritius' independence and later leased Diego Garcia to the United States for a military base. The native Chagossians were forcibly displaced, and Mauritius has since waged a diplomatic and legal battle for the archipelago's return. In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that British control was illegal and called for the archipelago’s return to Mauritius, a stance reaffirmed by a UN General Assembly resolution to which the United Kingdom did not initially comply. However, in 2024, the UK Labour government entered into an agreement with Mauritius to return the Chagos Archipelago, recognising the international pressure. This was seen as part of the UK's broader efforts to address colonial-era territorial disputes.
That deal was put on hold after Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election in 2024, in part due to concerns that this could enhance China’s strategic foothold in the region. Trump, however, has signaled a willingness to support the deal, provided a long-term lease agreement for Diego Garcia remains in place. As a result, the sovereignty negotiations remain in limbo, with Mauritius pressing for a resolution while also navigating domestic political disagreements over the deal.
Meanwhile, discussions between the United States and the United Kingdom over the long-term future of Diego Garcia continue, with the United Kingdom offering the United States an effective veto over the agreement due to shared military and intelligence interests. Trump has indicated optimism about the deal, but given his history of unpredictability, final approval remains contingent on further negotiations between Washington and London.
Amid these diplomatic manoeuvres, India has consistently backed Mauritius' claim to Chagos, aligning with its long-held stand for decolonisation and territorial integrity of all nations. Officially, New Delhi’s position is framed as part of its commitment to international law and the Global South. However, strategic interests cannot be ignored. Mauritius holds a special place in New Delhi’s Indian Ocean strategy, due to both its large Indian diaspora and its geopolitical location. India’s support of Chagos strengthens bilateral ties and reinforces its image as a leader of post-colonial nations advocating for sovereignty rights.
Backing Mauritius on Chagos deepens India’s strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean, possibly opening doors for enhanced maritime cooperation, intelligence sharing, and access to crucial logistics hubs.
However, this stance puts India in a delicate diplomatic position. The United Kingdom remains a key partner, and the US base in Diego Garcia plays a vital role in Indo-Pacific security, including Quad cooperation. By supporting Mauritius, India risks complicating its security dynamics with these Western allies. New Delhi has sought to maintain equilibrium – endorsing Mauritius’ sovereignty without directly confronting the United States or the United Kingdom.
India’s position is also shaped by its maritime security doctrine. Modi used his trip to outline the latest vision for regional security, unveiling MAHASAGAR, or “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions”. This is an upgrade from the SAGAR (“Security and Growth for All in the Region”) initiative, which he first articulated ten years ago, also in Mauritius. As the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly contested, India is positioning itself as a net security provider in the region. This requires delicate manoeuvring – balancing its commitment to international norms while ensuring its partnerships with major powers remain intact.
Backing Mauritius on Chagos deepens India’s strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean, possibly opening doors for enhanced maritime cooperation, intelligence sharing, and access to crucial logistics hubs. There is also the question of long-term gains. If Mauritius successfully regains full control over Chagos, it could seek alternative security arrangements. Could this include offering India limited access to maritime surveillance or logistics support? While speculative, such a move would significantly bolster India’s presence in the region. Additionally, the China factor is also relevant here. India’s support prevents China from monopolising the decolonisation discourse and reinforces its credibility among smaller Indian Ocean states. At the same time, it ensures that any future negotiations on Chagos remain within India’s diplomatic orbit.
India’s backing of Mauritius on Chagos is not just a legal or moral position; it is a calculated geopolitical move within a shifting Indo-Pacific order. While it reinforces India’s role as a leader in the Global South, it also tests New Delhi’s ability to balance decolonial advocacy with strategic realities. Going forward, India’s challenge will be to navigate the Chagos issue without disrupting its broader security partnerships. A few questions linger: Will New Delhi push for a resolution at the United Nations, or will it maintain a cautious diplomatic approach? Can it continue supporting Mauritius without alienating the United States and the United Kingdom? More critically, if Mauritius regains control, will India emerge as a preferred security partner in the region? It is too early to answer these questions, but what remains certain is that Chagos is more than a sovereignty issue – it is a test of India’s ability to shape the Indo-Pacific order on its terms.
