Chagos—Global Security Threat
Ceding the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius Threatens Global Security
Published 17th January 2025
The Chagos Archipelago, particularly Diego Garcia, is a cornerstone of global security. Housing a vital Anglo-American naval and strategic base, it plays a pivotal role in regional stability and international efforts, including U.S. Space Operations. This base is essential to counter Chinese and Russian advances in weaponising space through the development of counterspace technologies.
Since October 2024, I have been leading the charge against Keir Starmer’s decision to cede the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius—an ally of China—without proper parliamentary debate. This hasty action risks compromising UK and U.S. security interests. Initially, the deal was rejected by a new Mauritius government, but concerns remained about a revised agreement being finalised during recess periods to bypass parliamentary scrutiny and avoid intervention by Donald Trump, the incoming U.S. President.
The commentary ‘Chagos Archipelago Betrayal! and Compensation’ incontrovertibly demonstrated that Mauritius’s territorial claim is unfounded. Its argument hinges on the false premise that historical administration equates to ownership. This principle has no legal or fiduciary basis, rendering Mauritius’s claim invalid and the UK’s sovereignty intact.
Reports that Keir Starmer is now consulting with President Trump offer a glimmer of hope. However, the Foreign Office is reportedly working urgently to resolve outstanding issues.
I appeal to American readers: Share this message on X and ensure Donald Trump’s team is fully aware of Mauritius’s illegitimate claim. Together, we can halt this farcical transfer.
Anthony Royd
A Global Security Risk: The Peril of Ceding the Chagos Archipelago
The geopolitical stakes surrounding Diego Garcia extend far beyond regional considerations, as the island’s strategic location is pivotal to maintaining global security and countering the escalating threat of space weaponisation by adversarial powers.
Strategic Importance of Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia’s significance cannot be overstated. A Chinese military presence near this U.S. base would jeopardise American dominance in the Indian Ocean and undermine critical space operations. Equipped with eavesdropping and communications-jamming systems, a Chinese garrison could neutralise U.S. capabilities, compromising both regional and global security.
Evidence of Space Weaponisation
Counterspace Technologies
China and Russia are advancing counterspace capabilities, including anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles, signal jamming, and spoofing. Russia’s development of space-based systems targeting satellites in low Earth orbit exemplifies this threat.
Cyberattacks
Russia’s cyberattack on satellite communications at the onset of the Ukraine invasion in February 2022 highlights the strategic importance of space assets in modern warfare.
Satellite Weaponisation
U.S. intelligence accuses Russia of launching satellites capable of attacking others in orbit, further confirming militaristic intentions.
Strategic Partnerships
Despite advocating for outer space arms control, China and Russia pursue militarisation under the guise of peaceful cooperation, fuelling concerns about a looming arms race.
Broader Implications
The efforts by China and Russia to militarise space threaten not only regional stability but also global security. The ambiguity of their dual-use technologies complicates oversight and increases the risk of conflict in space. These developments demand vigilance and decisive action to maintain the balance of power and protect satellite-dependent systems.
In summary, the Chagos Archipelago is not just a geopolitical dispute; it is a linchpin in the broader struggle against space militarisation. The stakes are too high to allow this vital territory to fall into hands that threaten global security, or Is It Me!
Stand with Anthony Royd to safeguard the Archipelago and preserve international stability.