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Written question asked by Priti Patel (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 June 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 June 2025. It was answered by Luke Pollard (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 June 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Diego Garcia: Airspace and Territorial Waters

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether there are (a) restrictions on and (b) processes to facilitate (i) planes under the control of Mauritius (A) entering Diego Garcia airspace (B) landing on Diego Garcia and (ii) vessels under the flag of Mauritius (C) entering the 12 nautical mile zone (D) entering the zone between 12 and 24 nautical miles surrounding Diego Garcia, where Diego Garcia as defined by Article 19 of the Agreement.

Answer

Under the terms of the Chagos Archipelago Treaty, the UK controls access of persons and goods to Diego Garcia, which includes the airspace and territorial sea in the 12 nautical mile surrounding zone. In accordance with this control the UK must authorise access to Diego Garcia, including for Mauritian aircraft and vessels.

Additionally, the current three nautical mile territorial sea is to be extended to 12 nautical miles, with the UK controlling the twelve nautical miles surrounding Diego Garcia. Outside of the territorial sea, movements of vessels and aircraft are governed by the rights in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. With the extension of the territorial sea under the treaty, this means that the UK will control nine nautical miles more than is currently the case.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
56760
Session
2024-26
Related items
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Mauritius Military bases Diego Garcia Sovereignty Territorial waters Airspace Chagos Islands
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk