India has conveyed support for Mauritius in its negotiations with the UK over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. This support comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for talks with Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam during his visit on March 11 and 12, amid ongoing discussions about the islands’ status and lease agreements.
India has expressed its support for Mauritius regarding the Chagos Islands issue, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the island nation. The situation is expected to be a topic of discussion between PM Modi and Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam during Modi’s two-day visit scheduled for March 11 and 12.
During a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri revealed that both Mauritius and the United Kingdom may have reached a mutually acceptable agreement concerning the Chagos Islands. This follows the UK’s announcement last October to transfer sovereignty of the islands back to Mauritius after more than fifty years, established under a historic agreement with the former Mauritian administration.
The agreement allows the UK to relinquish sovereignty while retaining a 99-year lease over the military facility on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands. However, the new government of Mauritius, led by Prime Minister Ramgoolam, has called for a reassessment of the negotiations with the UK regarding the Chagos Islands.
Vikram Misri affirmed India’s longstanding positional support for Mauritius’ sovereignty over Chagos, emphasizing, “We’ve supported Mauritius in its stance on its sovereignty over Chagos, and this is obviously in keeping with our long-standing position with regard to decolonisation.” Misri highlighted that the new government in Mauritius is reviewing some aspects of the agreement, while discussions between Mauritius and the UK continue extensively, with indications of a possible consensus.
In summary, India has reaffirmed its support for Mauritius’ claim over the Chagos Islands, particularly in light of ongoing discussions with the UK about sovereignty and related agreements. As negotiations progress, the relationship between India and Mauritius is expected to deepen, underscoring India’s commitment to decolonization and regional cooperation.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
