Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, India supports Mauritius in negotiating with the UK over the Chagos Islands. Foreign Secretary Misri indicated a potential deal is in discussion, following the UK’s announcement to return sovereignty to Mauritius. The new Mauritian government seeks to revisit the previous agreement, maintaining India’s tradition of supporting decolonization.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Mauritius on March 11-12, India expressed its support for Mauritius in negotiating a beneficial agreement with the UK regarding the Chagos Islands. The topic is expected to be discussed during Modi’s meeting with Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
At a recent media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri indicated that Mauritius and the UK may have reached a potential agreement on the Chagos issue. Last October, the UK announced it would return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius following a landmark agreement after over fifty years.
This deal was finalized under former Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, allowing the UK to retain a 99-year lease on the military airbase at Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago. However, the current government of Mauritius, led by Ramgoolam, requested a reopening of negotiations regarding the Chagos Islands.
“We’ve supported Mauritius in its stance on its sovereignty over Chagos, and this is obviously in keeping with our long-standing position regarding decolonization and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries,” Misri stated during the briefing. He emphasized the importance of showing support for partners like Mauritius.
Additionally, Misri noted that the new Mauritian government is reassessing certain aspects of the Chagos deal, mentioning that discussions between Mauritius and the UK have been ongoing and are reportedly progressing towards a mutually acceptable resolution.
India reaffirms its support for Mauritius regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, especially ahead of PM Modi’s visit. As negotiations between Mauritius and the UK progress, both countries continue to discuss the details of the previous agreement while addressing concerns raised by the new Mauritian government. The diplomatic stance aligns with India’s broader commitment to support decolonization and territorial integrity for nations like Mauritius.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
