Written Question·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·UIN 62644

Chagos Islands: Sovereignty

Tabled: 25 June 2025

Answered: 4 July 2025

Question

Priti Patel

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether there is an agreed definition between the UK and Mauritius of

Answer

Stephen Doughty

The term "artificial island" will be interpreted in accordance with the rules of international law on the interpretation of treaties.