Britain gives up Chagos Islands

maddyfour

I have definitely heard of Mauritius because my son and daughter in law got married there and returned on their fifth wedding anniversary. I had also heard about the Chagos Islands and I knew about the British and American base there. The islands were unpopulated until the British took slaves there to work, who obviously were freed when slavery was outlawed. So there were no actual indigenous people of the Chagos Islands, but the residents were removed by the British/Americans and given compensation when they put the base there. Those people, or their descendants may wish to return. Or they may not. I’m unclear what the connection to Mauritius is as I think it’s not very near. That’s as much as I know. Except that China has a great interest in the area, and is influential in Mauritius.

It was the French who brought slaves to the Chagos Islands in the 18th century before they were ceded to the British. Slavery was already banned by Britain by 1814, when Mauritius and the Chagos Islands became British.

Mauritius and the islands were a unit until the British split them when Mauritius gained independence in 1968. The islands weren't granted independence and the British renamed the islands the British Indian Ocean Territory and expelled the residents.

I have definitely heard of Mauritius because my son and daughter in law got married there and returned on their fifth wedding anniversary. I had also heard about the Chagos Islands and I knew about the British and American base there. The islands were unpopulated until the British took slaves there to work, who obviously were freed when slavery was outlawed. So there were no actual indigenous people of the Chagos Islands, but the residents were removed by the British/Americans and given compensation when they put the base there. Those people, or their descendants may wish to return. Or they may not. I’m unclear what the connection to Mauritius is as I think it’s not very near. That’s as much as I know. Except that China has a great interest in the area, and is influential in Mauritius.

Chagos?

Susieq62

We should never have “ owned “ them in the first place so the behaviour of the UK has been appalling. I am going to Mauritius in three weeks and will try to find out how they treat the people of these islands. I predict they are kinder than ever we were !!!

Well you could say that about any of the Empire building nations. Including France who claimed it in1715 and named it lle de France in 1715, and the French East India company brought prosperity, through shipbuilding, and they also used the Island during the Napoleon's wars , to attack British commercial ships. Before the French it was colonised by the Netherlands. So bit of history for you before you go on your crusade to see how bad the British were.

Mojack26

Never heard of them till yesterday....

I had heard of the Chagos Islands and had discussions about them but whether or not they should have been handed to Mauritius is a moot point.

Some Chagossians say they should be independent.

Some Chagossians, however, dispute Mauritian sovereignty and are campaigning for self-determination as an indigenous people.

We should never have “ owned “ them in the first place so the behaviour of the UK has been appalling. I am going to Mauritius in three weeks and will try to find out how they treat the people of these islands. I predict they are kinder than ever we were !!!

In other news... www.politico.eu/article/argentina-britain-falklands-uk-overseas-territory-chagos-islands/

Its whether they are in strategic positions on a world map with a major military base on that counts in this case!

I’ve never heard of the islands, either. I suppose there are a lot of islands around that aren’t too well known. Certainly a lot round our coast, about 8,000 apparently. Some quite large.

(thats after canvassing several sources).

I still fail to see why it is supposed to endanger the UK

Details of reparations and who can settle where and how still being worked out.

Geography isn’t my strong point but I’d heard of Mauritius and have a vague idea where it is. Haven’t there been concerns about safety given global warming, rising sea levels?
As the previous government was working towards relinquishing this bit of empire, why should there have been a debate -

Never heard of them till yesterday....

Delene

Argentina will be asking for the Falklands Island back soon. How is that going to be handled?

I think that’s already happened.

Sounds a strange sort of giving back, whilst retaining what the islands were wanted for in the first place, but better late than never.

Will there be another request for the UK to apologise by handing out money? We already did compensation when the deal was first struck.
Incidentally, tourism is unlikely to be a source of income for any returning to the island whilst the military centre is still there. Visitation is already restricted.

For any civilians returning to the islands, it seems to me that work can come from tourism and service work around the bases and then possibly families/small communities. who knows? The US and the UK have not lost their base, I don't understand what the fuss is about re China, except for the misinformation machine.

Falklands have been British since 1766

Argentina was known as Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata, part of the Spanish Empire.

Spain started loosening its ties and Argentina claimed independence in 1816.

Delene

Argentina will be asking for the Falklands Island back soon. How is that going to be handled?

The Falklands have never been Argentina.

They were British long before Argentina was established.

Argentina will be asking for the Falklands Island back soon. How is that going to be handled?

Total disgrace! Again the UK & US stealing, making people homeless? And they have the nerve to criticise Israel? Where is the useless UN once again not defending these poor people!
China will move in soon and then what? They’ll be real trouble!
It is a strategic base!
Where is the media outcry?
Where are the defenders of freedom?
Awful behaviour.
UK /US should hang their heads in shame (as if)

So what so many people seem to be getting wrong, especially on Twitter, is that Diego Garcia will remain a military base for the uk and us for the next 99 years with an option to extend, which the US administration has shown their delight at, because its the best of both worlds. My husband has been there with work for defence , the place is beautiful.

My geography is usually quite good, but this is the first time I have ever heard of the Chagos Islands, let alone the fact that the UK has owned them for years. I am sure that they will be in safe hands with Mauritius

Wyllow3

Why?

In the Telegraph today:
"Nigel Farage has claimed that “our American allies will be furious and Beijing delighted” after Sir Keir Starmer gave up the Chagos Islands..."

But Biden is in fact totally happy with the result and the UK/US have their mid pacific base. There are no natural resources like oil to exploit and its righting a very historical wrong.

I completely agree

Oreo

Can’t be many here in the UK who care one way or the other.

I care! I expect many decent people do care, as what we in the UK did to all of these countries to make our empire was a complete disgrace!

Why?

In the Telegraph today:
"Nigel Farage has claimed that “our American allies will be furious and Beijing delighted” after Sir Keir Starmer gave up the Chagos Islands..."

But Biden is in fact totally happy with the result and the UK/US have their mid pacific base. There are no natural resources like oil to exploit and its righting a very historical wrong.