Before Mauritius Islands became independent in 1968, the UK separated the Chagos archipelago, and later leased the main island Diego Garcia to the United States which established a military base.
The Chagos archipelago and the Diego Garcia base are strategically located in the Indian Ocean, and the West is fearful they could fall under the influence of a pro-China Mauritius administration.
Note: This is part three of a three-part series on the proposed handover of the Chagos Archipelago from the UK to Mauritius. Part one — Why the Proposed UK-Mauritius Handover Would Be a Strategic Blow ...