Written Evidence Feb. 28 2024
Inquiry: The UK Government’s engagement regarding the British Indian Ocean TerritoryFound: CHA0023 - The UK Government’s engagement regarding the British Indian Ocean Territory University College
Feb. 22 2024
Source Page: PM call with Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth: 22 February 2024Found: made so far in the negotiations between Mauritius and the UK on the exercise of sovereignty over the British
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of transferring sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius on diplomatic relations with the US.
Answered by David Rutley
The military base on Diego Garcia is an important national asset that we use with the Americans. The UK's priority is the security, safety and usability of the base. We are working in lockstep with the US on all elements of British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) and will continue to do so.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of transferring sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius on the US contribution to the military balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK's priority is the long term continued effective operation of the joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia and Mauritius has made clear publicly that it supports this goal. We continue to work in lockstep with the US to this end and have their full support. The Secretary of State for Defence and Secretary Austin discussed the British Indian Ocean Territory in Washington DC on 1 December 2023.
Jan. 24 2024
Source Page: 45th Universal Periodic Review of human rights: UK statement on MauritiusFound: Regarding the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago, and noting our previous exchanges on
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential risks to national security of the proposed transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Answered by James Heappey
The joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia plays a crucial role in combating some of the most challenging threats to regional and international security.
The UK and Mauritius have conducted several rounds of negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago. The UK and Mauritius have reiterated that any agreement between our two countries will ensure the continued effective operation of joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what reassurances his Department has received from the government of Mauritius on the future of the military base in Diego Garcia.
Answered by James Heappey
The joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia plays a crucial role in combating some of the most challenging threats to regional and international security.
The UK and Mauritius have conducted several rounds of negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago. The UK and Mauritius have reiterated that any agreement between our two countries will ensure the continued effective operation of joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia.
Oral Evidence Jan. 09 2024
Inquiry: Work of the Foreign and Commonwealth OfficeFound: law currently does consider Gaza to be an occupied territory.
Asked by: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative - Shrewsbury and Atcham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the proposed transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Answered by James Heappey
We are in regular contact with the US administration on matters related to the British Indian Ocean Territory at both Ministerial and official levels.
Mentions:
1: Daniel Kawczynski (Con - Shrewsbury and Atcham) Indian Ocean Territory. - Speech Link
2: Henry Smith (Con - Crawley) Indian Ocean Territory. - Speech Link
3: Daniel Kawczynski (Con - Shrewsbury and Atcham) Indian Ocean Territory. - Speech Link
4: David Rutley (Con - Macclesfield) As raised earlier in substantive questions, we continue to have our negotiations on the British Indian - Speech Link