News - Calls for a Peaceful Indian Ocean amid Global Power Tensions

A former Indian diplomat has raised concerns about 'big power rivalry' in the Indian Ocean, a topic revived by comments from US President Donald Trump regarding the UK’s decision to transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. This move was earlier agreed upon by international allies but criticized by Trump as a security threat to the US because of the strategic military base at Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Archipelago. Dilip Sinha, India’s former representative to the UN, emphasized the need to eliminate major power conflicts from the Indian Ocean, citing the growing military presence from nations including China and the five permanent UN Security Council members. Sinha stressed the importance of India’s role in maintaining regional peace. India has historically supported Mauritius in its legal struggle, which culminated in the International Court of Justice ruling in favor of Mauritian sovereignty. The Chagos Islands, taken by the UK in 1965, host a joint US-UK military base, whose control remains under Western authority despite the sovereignty shift, per the 2025 agreement signed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The lease agreement provides US-UK rights to use the strategic base for 99 years. The historical backdrop involves a forced displacement of approximately 2,000 Chagossians in 1966 when Diego Garcia was leased for US military activities. Mauritius insists its right over the islands is clear and should not be contested, emphasizing a peaceful resolution to the archipelago’s sovereignty aligned with international law and UN mandates.