‘Diego Garcia’ is an island to which a particular reference is made. The island is located 3,535 km east of the coast of Tanzania in Africa and 1,796 km east of the southern tip of India’s Kanya Kumari.
The name Diego Garcia means “Thank God” in Latin. This island, which belongs to Britain, may have been called that because it is considered a gift from God. It is unclear why the British considered the island a gift from God.
However, this island has been instrumental in creating a problem that has attracted global attention. It is because the International Court of Justice has given an order to transfer the ownership of that island back to Mauritius.
This is how ‘Diego Garcia’ met
History shows that this island was discovered in 1512. It was by a group of Portuguese explorers. Then, it appears that the right was divided amongst several countries occasionally. First, the ownership of this island was given to France. After the Napoleonic Wars, it was claimed by Britain. Later, the ownership of the island was handed over to Britain.
Priced at six hundred thousand pounds
In 1967, Britain paid 600,000 pounds in cash. It became the permanent owner of “Diego Garcia” due to arguments that there is a mandatory right to the island of Mauritius. Britain was also believed to have taken this step to maintain its control in the Indian Ocean region.
American military camps on the island belonging to Britain
However, the situation is different now. Although the island belongs to Britain, only American air and naval bases are on Diego Garcia Island. America is also doing this without any problem, according to the agreement made with Britain.
The decision of the United Nations General Assembly
It is in this background that a heated conversation regarding Diego Garcia Island is created. It was with the proposal that the island should be transferred back to Mauritius. In 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution. This is after a decision given by the International Court of Justice in The Hague regarding the ownership of the island. Although the International Court of Justice ruled that ownership of the island should be given to Mauritius, Britain emphasised that it would not accept that decision. Even though the United Nations General Assembly passed that resolution, there was no rule that member countries must implement such resolutions.
The relationship between geopolitical changes and Diego Garcia
The unique conditions created globally have also led to this decision in Britain. One of the main reasons is the increasing strategic importance of the Indian Ocean region, given the current geopolitical situation. Britain and the United States of America are trying to keep Diego Garcia Island in their possession because they are considering the conditions emerging in that background.
Crucial discussion
A discussion was also held between the new British Foreign Minister, David Cameron, and the American Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken. This discussion in Washington last (07) was held to discuss the island of ‘Diego Garcia’. In this discussion, the American Secretary of State has reiterated that Britain owns the rights to the isle of ‘Diego Garcia’. Meanwhile, British Defence Minister Grant Shapps has stated that Britain has abandoned the proposal that ‘Diego Garcia’ should be returned to Mauritius.
The particular island “Diego Garcia” was used for two missions
In 1971, Diego Garcia took steps to evict the native population from the island entirely. Various reports indicate that the expulsion was done by force, and space was reserved for the American camps. America established its first naval base on October 1, 1977. By 1985, development projects had been launched for aircraft and ships.
During the 1990 Iraq war, the American army made the most of this island. America has used Diego Garcia Island to conduct bombers and launch attack missions.
In a period of almost 50 days, fighter jets have used this island for bombing operations of nearly 750 million kilograms on Saddam Hussein’s forces in Iraq. Also, in 2001, the United States took steps to use Diego Garcia Island again for offensive operations. Attacking Taliban and Al Qaeda targets in Afghanistan.
However, the British will certainly never grant this island to “Mauritius”. That is because that island is more important for future operations. The reason for this is that this island has been identified as an ideal centre for conducting studies in the Indian Ocean region rather than handling it.
In a background where the geopolitical activities in the Indian Ocean region are changing and becoming more complex day by day, Western countries, including Britain and America, need to maintain such a centre. Moving is more critical not today but tomorrow. The ideal place for that is ‘Diego Garcia island.
