The UK-Mauritius Agreement (herein ‘the agreement’) on the Chagos Archipelago has been criticized within the UK and by the UK’s closest ally, the United States. While the issue behind the agreement is immensely complex, it remains to be seen whether or not the UK government can resolve this in a way that is compatible with both international law and national interest. The government’s argument in favor of the agreement seems to have been in answer to the legal issues raised by international bodies such as the International Court of Justice, the United Nations General Assembly, and the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea. However, it has also stated that adherence to international law in this case will help with the continued operational status of the air base on Diego Garcia and that there is therefore symmetry between international law and national interest.
