Which two countries signed an agreement on 22 May 2025, regarding the future of the Chagos Archipelago?

Correct option is C

Correct answer: (c) United Kingdom and Republic of Mauritius

Explanation:

• On 22 May 2025, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius signed a historic agreement concerning the future of the Chagos Archipelago.
• The agreement is aimed at:
• Resolving a long-standing territorial dispute
• Addressing the decolonisation process
• Working towards joint management and potential sovereignty transfer of the islands in the future
• The Chagos Archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean, has been under UK administration but is claimed by Mauritius.

Information Booster:

• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) have previously supported Mauritius’s claim over the islands.
• The UK maintains a military base (Diego Garcia) on one of the islands in the archipelago, which is leased to the United States.
• The agreement marks a step forward in diplomatic cooperation and decolonisation in line with international law.

Additional Knowledge:

• (a) United Kingdom and India – No territorial conflict regarding Chagos.
• (b) United States and Republic of Mauritius – The US operates Diego Garcia but did not sign this sovereignty-related agreement.
• (d) United Kingdom and Seychelles – Seychelles is unrelated to the Chagos territorial issue.