The Chagos Archipelago became a British territory in 1814. In 1965, the U.K. formally separated the islands from its then-colony Mauritius, before Mauritius gained independence three years later.

LONDON (AP) — A British court blocked the U.K. from transferring sovereignty over the contested Chagos Islands to Mauritius hours before the agreement was due to be signed on Thursday. The U.K ...

The Chagos Islands are a strategically significant area, with one of its islands, Diego Garcia, serving as a key military base jointly operated by the UK and the US.

The Chagos Islands have been under British control since 1814, when they were ceded by France. The archipelago is best known for the military base on Diego Garcia, ...