---

British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago

Since the Written Ministerial Statement made on 17 March, the UK and Mauritius held further constructive negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)/the Chagos Archipelago on 2 to 3 June 2023 and 31 July to 1 August 2023. The Prime Minister, my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) and Prime Minister Jugnauth met in the margins of the G20 Summit on 9 September in New Delhi. The two Prime Ministers assessed the progress made in the negotiations since they spoke in February, and agreed to meet again soon. The next round of negotiations will take place later this month.