An advocacy group warned that ceding the territory would ‘play into the hands’ of Britain’s adversaries, while a prominent think tank warned against the move. A Conservative MP has spoken out against potential plans to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base, to Mauritius, a move he sees as aligning with China’s interests.
The Chagos Archipelago, located in the central Indian Ocean, comprises over a thousand islands, with Diego Garcia hosting a vital U.S.–UK joint military facility. The UK has leased use of the base to the United States until 2036. Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury, has emphasized perceived geopolitical risks, advocating for a democratic process involving the native Chagossians and accusing the UK government of jeopardising national security.
Kawczynski stated that the government has behaved appallingly by “handing over the British Indian Ocean Territory to a client puppet state of China, Mauritius.” He expressed profound concern over a potential sovereignty transfer to Mauritius, aligning it with China’s strategic interests. The UK’s foreign secretary initiated negotiations with Mauritius over sovereignty claims to the British Indian Ocean Territory in November 2021. Mr. Kawczynski maintained that the government could facilitate Chinese access to the Indian Ocean by potentially handing over the BIOT to Mauritius, and added that his ongoing legal challenge aims to prevent what he views as a detrimental geopolitical move.
In May 2019, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution recognizing the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, as part of Mauritius. FOTBOT called for continued parliamentary scrutiny, urging the UK government to halt negotiations. A think tank, Policy Exchange, stressed the rising strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific, positioning BIOT as a linchpin in the UK’s security and foreign policy amid increased great power competition, notably from China. It also recommends a return to a bipartisan stance affirming UK sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.
The future of the Chagos Islands is subject to increasingly intense parliamentary debate, balancing historical claims and the Chagossians’ right to self-determination. Downing Street has not responded to a request for comment.