Written question asked by Priti Patel (Conservative) on Thursday, 5 June 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 June 2025. It was answered by Stephen Doughty (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 June 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Chagos Islands: Sovereignty

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) discussions and (b) correspondence he has had with his counterpart in the Maldives on the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Answer: The issue of British Indian Ocean Territory sovereignty featured in the Foreign Secretary's meeting with the Maldives Foreign Minister at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting on 25 October 2024 and in the Minister for the Indo-Pacific meeting with the Maldives Foreign Minister on 14 October 2024. Our High Commissioner in Male also briefed the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Treaty when it was signed on 22 May 2025.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 57626
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Chagos Islands: Sovereignty
Friday, 27 February 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Sovereignty Maldives Chagos Islands
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk