Indian Thought Latest News & Views
Bangkok. A Mauritius delegation left for the archipelago on Tuesday to stake its claim on the strategically important Indian Ocean’s Chagos archipelago. Britain also claims its claim on this and an American military base is also present there. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said in a statement that this was the first time that Mauritius had launched an expedition to the islands without the permission of Britain. He further said that in the case of the Chagos Islands, it is a “concrete step” to exercise its sovereignty and sovereign rights.
The UK Foreign Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the current campaign. In his statement, Jugnauth referred to the decision of the International Court of Justice, saying, “The continued administration of the Chagos Islands by the UK is a wrongful act.” His office did not immediately respond to emails seeking further remarks. .
There will be no effect on US military base
Jagannath has repeatedly said that the withdrawal of the British administration will not affect the US military base in Diego Garcia. He said that Mauritius is committed to maintain this military base.
Mauritius’ Bleu de Nimes sailed on Tuesday from Seychelles for the Chagos archipelago, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) south of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
On board the ship for the 15-day voyage are Mauritius’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, legal advisers and others, who plan to conduct a scientific survey at ‘Blenheim Reef’, a partially submerged atoll in the northeastern part of the archipelago.
Jagannath has said in his statement that he will not join the delegation on the current sea voyage, but will make a separate private visit.
