The islands, named after a Spanish navigator, have a basically symbolic British presence. The United Kingdom hands over the Chagos archipelago (and the massive US base on Diego Garcia island) to Mauritius (and to the Chinese fishing fleet).

The UK and Mauritius agreed to a deal regarding the sovereignty of an Indian Ocean archipelago, including control over a key strategic military base in the region, ending a long-running negotiation that had become a point of controversy for British premier Keir Starmer.

India on Wednesday welcomed the signing of a treaty between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.