Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Monday, 20 November 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 November 2023. It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 November 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his Mauritian counterpart on the British Indian Ocean Territory in the last month.

Answer: The Foreign Secretary has not yet had discussions with his Mauritian counterpart on the British Indian Ocean Territory. However, the Prime Minister met Mauritian Prime Minister Jugnauth in the margins of the G20 Summit in Delhi on 9 September, and the former Foreign Secretary met his Mauritian counterpart in the margins of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting on 1 March. The British Indian Ocean Territory was discussed at both meetings. Additionally, since November 2022, senior UK officials have held eight rounds of negotiations with their Mauritian counterparts on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago.

Secondary information