Mauritius Cites 3 Legal Rulings to Reject Maldivian Claims over Chagos Islands

The Mauritian government has issued a defiant rejection of sovereignty claims made by the Maldives over the Chagos Archipelago, declaring its own authority over the islands “incontestable” under international law.

In a formal statement released by Attorney General Gavin Glover, Port Louis dismissed any Maldivian legal interest in the territory, including the strategic island of Diego Garcia.

The move comes as a direct response to a 13 April declaration from Malé, in which the Maldivian government welcomed Britain’s recent decision to pause the handover of the islands to Mauritius.

Legal Sovereignty Confirmed

Mauritius maintains that it remains the sole coastal state of the archipelago, a position it asserts was confirmed by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) during maritime boundary disputes in 2021 and 2023.

“Under international law, Mauritius holds full and complete sovereignty,” the statement read, categorically denying that the Maldives possesses any legitimate legal claim to the territory.

A Growing Diplomatic Tussle

The diplomatic friction was ignited after the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its “legitimate interest” in the future status of the Chagos.

Malé has urged the United Kingdom to seek an “equitable outcome” that respects Maldivian rights and ensures regional stability in the Indian Ocean.

However, Port Louis has countered this by citing a string of international victories:

• 2019 ICJ Advisory Opinion: The International Court of Justice concluded that Mauritian sovereignty over Chagos is a requirement for the completion of the country’s decolonisation.
• UN Resolution 73/295: Adopted in May 2019, the UN General Assembly demanded the UK withdraw its administration from the archipelago within six months.
• 2025 Bilateral Agreement: An agreement reached on 22 May 2025 between Mauritius and the UK which, according to Port Louis, unequivocally recognises Mauritian sovereignty over the entire archipelago.

British Reversal

The dispute has been complicated by London’s recent decision to freeze the sovereignty transfer.

Last week, the UK government announced that the handover would not proceed without approval from Washington, citing the importance of the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.

While the Maldives has hailed this suspension as an “opportunity to relaunch discussions” regarding the governance of the region, Mauritius remains steadfast, insisting that its roadmap to integration is the only path compliant with international law.

Source: Defi Media