UK drops bill to hand Chagos Islands to Mauritius after US opposition

The United Kingdom has withdrawn legislation that would have transferred sovereignty of the strategically vital Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following significant diplomatic opposition from the United States. British officials confirmed on Wednesday that the bill, which had been under parliamentary consideration, had effectively run out of time to proceed through the necessary legislative stages before the current parliamentary session ends. The decision represents a major setback for Mauritius's long-standing claim to the archipelago and underscores the enduring geopolitical importance of the islands, which host a critical US military base. The proposed legislation was a response to a 2019 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which advised that the UK should end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago. The UK had occupied the islands since 1814 and created the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) in 1965, forcibly removing the indigenous Chagossian population to make way for the military base on Diego Garcia. Mauritius, which gained independence in 1968, has consistently argued that the archipelago was unlawfully detached from its territory during the colonial era. The UK's initial move towards negotiating sovereignty transfer was seen as an attempt to comply with international law and mend diplomatic relations. However, the plan faced formidable resistance from the United States, which operates the Diego Garcia base under a long-term agreement with the UK. The base is a pivotal hub for US military operations in the Indian Ocean and the Middle East, used for logistics, intelligence, and bomber missions. US officials reportedly lobbied intensely against the sovereignty transfer, citing grave national security concerns over potential restrictions on base operations if Mauritius, which has closer ties to China, assumed control. This pressure ultimately stalled the legislative process in the UK Parliament, where the bill failed to gain sufficient priority amid a crowded legislative calendar and competing political interests. The withdrawal leaves the future of the Chagos Islands in a state of legal and diplomatic limbo. Mauritius is likely to intensify its campaign in international forums, while the UK must balance its obligations under international court rulings against its strategic alliance with the US. The fate of the displaced Chagossians, who have fought for decades for the right to return, remains uncertain. The episode highlights the complex interplay between post-colonial justice, international law, and hard-nosed strategic interests, with a small archipelago continuing to be a flashpoint in great-power politics.