India supports Mauritius in its negotiations with the UK concerning the Chagos Islands, with Prime Minister Modi’s visit expected to address this issue. The UK has previously agreed to transfer sovereignty, while the new Mauritian government seeks to revisit some terms.
Recently, India expressed its support for Mauritius in the ongoing negotiations with the United Kingdom regarding the Chagos Islands. This development precedes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Mauritius on March 11 and 12, where the issue is anticipated to be a key topic of discussion with Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
During a media conference, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Mauritius and the UK may have reached a mutually acceptable arrangement concerning the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. In a significant announcement in October of the previous year, the UK committed to transferring sovereignty of the islands back to Mauritius, following decades of territorial governance, though it retains a 99-year lease on the military airbase located on Diego Garcia.
Despite the agreement made under former Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, the current administration led by Prime Minister Ramgoolam has requested to revisit discussions with the UK regarding the Chagos Islands. Misri highlighted, “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.”
Additionally, Misri acknowledged that the Mauritian government is reassessing specific terms of the deal concerning Chagos. He further noted, “It is something that is continued to be discussed between Mauritius and the UK, and we understand that they have engaged with each other quite intensively and have also perhaps arrived at a mutually acceptable deal. “
In summary, India’s formal stance underscores its diplomatic support for Mauritius in securing sovereignty over the Chagos Islands amidst ongoing negotiations with the UK. The dialogue between the two nations reflects India’s commitment to decolonization and the territorial integrity of its partners. Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit is poised to further address these discussions and reinforce collaborative efforts between India and Mauritius.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
