Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on an Agreement Between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the Status of the Chagos Archipelago

The Department of Defense commends yesterday's historic agreement between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom on the status of the Chagos Archipelago. The DOD is confident that the negotiations between the two countries has resulted in an agreement that will protect the long-term, secure, and effective operation of the joint U.S.-UK military base on Diego Garcia.

For decades, Diego Garcia has played a critical role in national, regional, and global security, and our ability to respond to crises and counter complex, challenging security threats. This agreement will safeguard the strategic security interests of the United Kingdom, Mauritius, and the United States, as well as our partners in the Indo-Pacific region into the next century.

The Department of Defense reaffirms the special defense relationship with the United Kingdom and looks forward to advancing a strategic defense partnership with Mauritius. Collectively, we will face shared security challenges, and promote regional cooperation in one of the world's most critical maritime regions.