
Thank You, India and Mahatma: Chagos Islanders Celebrate Victory After Decades-Long Struggle
After six decades of relentless legal battles, the United Kingdom has finally agreed to return the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius. The Chagos Refugees Group, led by Olivier Bancoult, has been at the forefront of the fight for justice since the UK forcibly evicted around 2,000 coconut farmers from their native islands. The eviction, which took place more than 2,700 km south of India, saw the largest island, Diego Garcia, handed over to the United States for a strategic military base.
Speaking from Port Louis, Mauritius, an overjoyed Bancoult credited Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings for the group’s approach. “The Mahatma taught me what I did: to take the UK to court armed with legal files, not weapons,” said Bancoult, 60, expressing his gratitude for the successful campaign.
While the geopolitical implications are still evolving—particularly with the US maintaining its military presence on Diego Garcia—Bancoult dismissed concerns about potential Chinese influence in Mauritius. “Knowing that there is a US military base there, I don’t think Mauritius would be so foolish,” he remarked.
For the Chagos refugees, the focus is now on returning to their ancestral homes, including the islands of Peros Banhos and Salomon. “We will seize this opportunity, of course,” Bancoult said, hopeful for the long-awaited homecoming. The final agreement is still pending, but for the displaced islanders, it is a monumental step toward reclaiming what was lost.