In a dramatic parliamentary intervention, Labour MP Stephen Doughty has sounded the alarm over China's alleged interference in the long-running dispute between Britain and Mauritius over the Chagos Islands.
The Cardiff South and Penarth representative raised an urgent question in the Commons, demanding answers from Foreign Office minister David Rutley about concerning reports of Chinese activities that could undermine UK sovereignty in the strategic Indian Ocean archipelago.
Strategic Military Base at Risk
The Chagos Islands, specifically Diego Garcia, host a crucial joint UK-US military facility that has served as a vital strategic asset for operations across the Middle East and Asia. This base has been instrumental in supporting counter-terrorism missions and regional stability efforts for decades.
Doughty's intervention comes amid growing concerns that China is actively supporting Mauritius's sovereignty claim while potentially seeking to establish its own military presence in the region. Such a move would represent a significant shift in the Indian Ocean's geopolitical balance.
Diplomatic Pressure Mounts
The parliamentary exchange revealed deepening anxieties about Beijing's growing influence in the region. Doughty specifically questioned whether China was providing Mauritius with military and surveillance assistance that could compromise the security of the UK-US facility.
Minister Rutley acknowledged the seriousness of these concerns, stating that the government was "closely monitoring any activities that could threaten the defence and security of the British Indian Ocean Territory."
Historical Context and International Law
The Chagos Islands dispute has simmered for over five decades since Britain separated the territory from Mauritius in 1965. The International Court of Justice and United Nations have both issued rulings supporting Mauritius's claim to sovereignty, though Britain maintains its position based on security considerations.
The situation represents one of the most complex and long-standing territorial disputes in Britain's post-colonial history, now further complicated by China's apparent interest in the outcome.
As geopolitical tensions rise in the Indian Ocean, this development signals a new front in the growing strategic competition between Western powers and China for influence in critical maritime regions.
