The United Kingdom has announced it will relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, a remote but strategically significant archipelago in the Indian Ocean, after more than 50 years of control. The historic decision was reached following years of negotiations and will see the UK hand over the islands to Mauritius,

The deal – reached after years of negotiations - will see the UK hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in a historic move. | ITV National News

The UK has announced it is giving up sovereignty of a remote but strategically important cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean after more than half a century. The deal – reached after years of negotiations - will see the UK hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in a historic move.

In a landmark move after years of diplomatic negotiation, the United Kingdom has announced that it will relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, a remote yet strategically critical cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean.

Sir Keir Starmer has announced the UK is giving up sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Britain, which has controlled the region since 1814, detached the Chagos islands in 1965 from Mauritius - a former colony that became independent three years later - to create the British Indian Ocean Territory.