CHAGOS ARCHIPELAGO – GEOGRAPHY

Chagos Archipelago – GEOGRAPHY

NEWS:

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

  • On Friday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held discussions with Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam regarding the security of the US-British military base located on Diego Garcia, which is part of the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
  • According to an official statement released by Downing Street (the official residence and office of the UK Prime Minister), Starmer emphasized the need for "strong protections" for the base, which includes measures to prevent any "malign influence" from external actors.
  • The statement reflects ongoing geopolitical concerns, particularly related to security threats, regional stability, and the strategic importance of the military base.

 

The Chagos Archipelago: Historical Background

  • The Chagos Archipelago is a group of approximately 58 small islands located in the Indian Ocean, about 500 kilometers south of the Maldives.
  • These islands remained uninhabited until the late 18th century, when French colonial rulers transported enslaved workers from Africa and India to labor in the newly established coconut plantations on the islands.
  • Under the Treaty of Paris in 1814, France formally ceded Mauritius—which included the Chagos Archipelago—to the British Empire, making it a British colony.

 

Britain’s Detachment of Chagos from Mauritius

  • In 1965, just three years before Mauritius gained independence, the British government separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius and designated them as part of a new British overseas territory, known as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
  • This move was highly controversial, as it was seen as an effort by the British to retain control over the strategically important islands while still granting Mauritius independence.
  • In exchange for the detachment of Chagos, the UK government provided Mauritius with a financial grant of £3 million, an amount that was widely criticized as inadequate compensation for the loss of the territory.


UK-Mauritius Agreement on Chagos Islands

  • In October 2024, the UK and Mauritius reached a historic agreement regarding the future of the Chagos Archipelago.
  • Under this agreement, the UK agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, marking a major shift in Britain’s long-standing control over the islands.
  • However, a key condition of the agreement is that the UK and US will continue to control the Diego Garcia military base under a 99-year lease, ensuring that its military operations remain unaffected.

 

Diego Garcia: Strategic Military Base

Historical Development

  • Diego Garcia is the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago and serves as a highly strategic military base for both the United States and the United Kingdom.
  • In 1966, the UK signed a defense agreement with the United States, allowing the US to use the BIOT for defense and security operations.
  • Following this agreement, in 1967, the British government forcibly removed the Chagossian population from Diego Garcia and other islands in the archipelago, resettling them in Mauritius and Seychelles.
  • In 1971, the last remaining plantation on Diego Garcia was closed, further solidifying the military focus of the island.

 

Military Operations and Strategic Importance

  • Diego Garcia became a fully operational US military base in 1986, serving as a key hub for American military activities in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
  • The base played a critical role in multiple US-led conflicts, including:

·         The Gulf War (1991) – Diego Garcia was used for long-range airstrikes and logistical operations.

·         The Iraq War (2003–2011) – It functioned as a staging ground for US military forces.

·         The War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) – The base supported aerial missions, intelligence operations, and supply routes.

  • According to reports in Foreign Policy magazine, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Diego Garcia was allegedly used by the CIA as a secret detention center for high-profile prisoners, a claim that has never been officially confirmed by the US government.

 

US-UK Perspective on Diego Garcia

  • In October 2024, former US President Joe Biden made a statement highlighting the strategic importance of Diego Garcia, stating:
    “Diego Garcia is a joint U.S.-UK military facility that plays a vital role in national, regional, and global security. It enables the United States to support operations that demonstrate our shared commitment to regional stability, provide rapid response to crises, and counter some of the most challenging security threats we face.”

 

Geographic Characteristics

  • Diego Garcia is a coral atoll, meaning it is a ring-shaped island with a central lagoon, formed from the remains of coral reefs.
  • It is also the southernmost island in the Chagos Archipelago and is located 7 degrees south of the Equator, making it an ideal location for naval and aerial operations.

 

Islands in the News

Tuvalu (Pacific Ocean) – Climate Crisis Hotspot

  • Geographical Features:

·         Tuvalu is a small Pacific island nation situated midway between Hawaii and Australia.

·         The island has a mean elevation of only 2 meters (6.56 feet) above sea level, making it highly vulnerable to rising ocean levels.

  • Environmental Concerns:

·         Over the past 30 years, Tuvalu has experienced a sea-level rise of 15 cm (5.91 inches), which is 1.5 times the global average, raising fears that it could become uninhabitable in the near future.

 

St. Martin’s Island (Bay of Bengal) – Political Turmoil

  • Geographical Features:
    • St. Martin’s Island is located in the Bay of Bengal, 9 km off the southern coast of Bangladesh.
    • It is Bangladesh’s only coral island and has a permanent population of around 10,000 people.
  • Political Significance:
    • The island gained international attention in 2024 following the ousting of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which led to increased security concerns in the region.

 

Rottnest Island (Australia) – Seaplane Crash

  • Recent Event:
    • A seaplane crashed near Rottnest Island, injuring three people seriously while three others remain missing.
  • Geographical Significance:
    • Rottnest Island is a popular tourist destination near the coast of Western Australia.

 

Ramree Island (Myanmar) – Armed Conflict

  • Recent Event:
    • Myanmar’s military conducted an airstrike on Ramree Island, killing around 40 people in a village controlled by the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group in Myanmar.

 

Kuril Islands (North Pacific Ocean) – Japan-Russia Dispute

  • Historical Dispute:

·         Japan and Russia have been engaged in a territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands for decades.

·         These islands are strategically located between Japan’s Hokkaido and Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, controlling access to the Sea of Okhotsk.

 

Easter Island (Pacific Ocean, Chile) – Remote Settlement

  • Famous for its massive stone statues, the Moai, built by the Rapa Nui civilization.

 

Tristan da Cunha (Atlantic Ocean) – Remote Inhabited Island

  • Located in the central Atlantic Ocean, it has a population of about 250 people, all of whom are British Overseas Territories citizens.

 

Conclusion

  • The Chagos Archipelago remains a major geopolitical issue, with ongoing discussions between the UK, US, and Mauritius over its sovereignty.
  • Several islands worldwide have been in the news due to political conflicts, environmental threats, and military tensions, highlighting the strategic importance of remote island territories in global affairs.

 

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/upsc-current-affairs/upsc-essentials/knowledge-nugget-chagos-archipelago-diego-garcia-geopolitical-hotspot-for-upsc-prelims-2025-mains-9814959/