Context: US President Trump criticised the potential return of Diego Garcia by the UK to Mauritius, as the island hosts a strategically important US military base.
About Diego Garcia
1Location:
oCoral atoll in the central Indian Ocean
oPart of the Chagos Archipelago
2History:
oChagos Archipelago was administered as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) from 1965
oIn May 2025, the UK and Mauritius signed an agreement:
§Mauritius recognized as sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia
§UK retains a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia
3Military Significance:
oHosts a joint UK–US military base
oKey strategic location for Indian Ocean security, maritime surveillance, and force projection
Strategic Importance
1Central position in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
2Supports US and UK naval and air operations
3Critical for monitoring sea lanes and regional security
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
