The UK notes that the designation of the British Indian Ocean Territory has been modified on maps produced by the UN, following UN General Assembly Resolution 73/295. This resolution is not legally binding and the UK voted against its adoption.

This modification by the UN does not alter, or determine, sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago and it makes no difference to the UK's position, which we have consistently made clear. The UK has no doubt about our sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. Mauritius has never held sovereignty, so we do not recognise its claim. We have, however, made a long-standing commitment to cede sovereignty of the territory to Mauritius when it is no longer required for defence purposes. We stand by that commitment.

It is disappointing that Mauritius’ claim that the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is part of Mauritius, which we strongly refute, should have been referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by the UN General Assembly. It is an accepted international principle that States should not be compelled to have their bilateral disputes adjudicated upon by the ICJ without their consent. Circumventing this principle sets a dangerous precedent. BIOT has been under continuous British sovereignty since 1814. No international court or tribunal has ever found UK sovereignty to be in doubt. Mauritius agreed to the detachment of the islands in 1965, in return for certain benefits including a UK commitment, which we stand by, to cede sovereignty of the territory to Mauritius when it is no longer required for defence purposes. Mauritius affirmed that agreement numerous times following independence, and in March 2015 a United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Arbitral Tribunal ruled the agreement to be internationally binding.

​We remain disappointed that this matter was referred to the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly. We have no doubt about our sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, which has been under continuous British sovereignty since 1814. The UK values its long standing relationship with Mauritius and is keen to continue to engage productively on this issue.

The Government recognises that the manner of the removal of Chagossians from the British Indian Ocean Territory in the 1960s and 1970s was wrong. It has expressed its regret at such treatment, and continues to do so. Substantial compensation (around £15.5 million in current prices) has been paid to Chagossians since that time. British courts and the European Court of Human Rights have confirmed that compensation has been paid in full and final settlement. The Government currently has no plans to review this decision.

On 25 February 2019 the International Court of Justice gave an Advisory Opinion that the UK does not have a legitimate claim to continued ownership of the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Islands). This is an Advisory Opinion, not a judgment. Of course, we will look at the detail of it carefully. The defence facilities on the British Indian Ocean Territory help to protect people here in Britain and around the world from terrorist threats, organised crime and piracy.

​In November 2016, following a comprehensive review, the Government considered all the available information and has decided not to support resettlement of Chagossians on the grounds of feasibility, defence and security interests, and cost to the British tax payer. The decision was announced by Written Ministerial Statement on 16 November 2016.

The UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and surrounding maritime areas. The principle of and the right of the Falkland Islanders to self-determination as enshrined in the UN Charter and in Article 1 of the two UN Covenants on human rights means there can be no dialogue on sovereignty unless the Falkland Islanders so wish. The UK Government will always support the right of the Falkland Islanders to determine their own future and we have consistently reiterated this to Argentina.

The UK is already a full member of the World Trade Organisation.

The United Kingdom is committed to cede the territory to Mauritius when it is no longer required for defence purposes.
The military facility located in the British Indian Ocean Territory continues to contribute significantly towards global security, and is central to efforts at countering regional threats, including those from terrorism and piracy. We do not envisage this position changing in the short-term and it is for the UK alone to determine when this position has been reached.

The United Kingdom value the historic relationship of trust and cooperation that we share with the Republic of Mauritius. It is therefore with great concern that we note the intention the Prime Minister of Mauritius expressed to the Parliament of Mauritius on 17 May to seek a referral by the UN General Assembly to the International Court of Justice this autumn, in order to obtain an advisory opinion in relation to the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago).

Referral of this matter to the International Court of Justice would cause lasting damage to Mauritius’ bilateral relations and we have respectfully sought the Prime Minister of Mauritius’ assurance that he does not intend to proceed with such action, and that he will return to a constructive path. Mauritius stands to benefit from friendly relations, including in relation to the British Indian Ocean Territory, where the UK and Mauritius are already engaged in talks that aim to implement the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea arbitral award of March 2015 and give due regard to Mauritius’ interests in matters of marine conservation in the British Indian Ocean Territory.