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UK Cedes Chagos to Mauritius, Weakening Strategic Role in Indian Ocean

UK Cedes Chagos to Mauritius, Weakening Strategic Role in Indian Ocean
Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago, in an undated file photo. Reuters/HO/U.S. Navy
Gregory Copley
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Commentary

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Oct. 3 in an agreement with Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, agreed to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago—also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, home to the strategically critical U.S. defense base at Diego Garcia—to Mauritius.

Gregory Copley
Gregory Copley
Author
Gregory Copley is president of the Washington-based International Strategic Studies Association and editor-in-chief of the “Defense & Foreign Affairs” series of publications. Born in Australia, Copley is an entrepreneur, writer, government adviser, defense publication editor, and Member of the Order of Australia. His latest and 37th book is “The Noble State: Governance Options in an Ignoble Era.”