Chagos Islands: What is the UK-Mauritius deal on archipelago and what's India's stance on it? Explained

In a landmark move, the United Kingdom signed an agreement on Thursday to transfer sovereignty of the disputed Chagos Islands to Mauritius, marking a significant shift in the decades-long territorial dispute. The deal also secures long-term strategic interests for Britain and its allies, particularly the United States. As part of the agreement, the UK will pay Mauritius approximately £101 million (USD 136 million) annually to lease back the critical military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Indian Ocean archipelago. As per reports, the lease is set to last for at least 99 years to ensure uninterrupted operation of the joint US-UK base.

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