House of Lords: A Decisive Vote on the Return of the Chagos Islands Scheduled for January 5

As 2026 approaches, the British Parliament is set to address a geopolitical issue that has lingered for over half a century: sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago. On January 5, the House of Lords will hold a plenary session to review the "Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill," a legislative proposal that would formalize the transfer of the territory to Mauritius while allowing the British to retain strategic control over the American military base at Diego Garcia. This anticipated vote could mark a critical milestone, potentially bringing an end to an international dispute characterized by forced exiles and judicial rulings if the bill is passed.

Having been adopted in its first reading by the House of Commons last October, the bill, which has gone through Committee Stage on November 18 and 25, reflects the bilateral agreement signed in May between London and Port-Louis. Resistance to the bill remains within the Conservative party, which fears a dilution of British influence in the Indo-Pacific amid China's rising power.

Returning from a series of meetings with British officials a week ago, Attorney General Gavin Glover presented diplomatic advancements during a meeting of the inter-ministerial committee on the Chagos, chaired by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam. Reports indicate positive outcomes, with agreements on several points expected to be included as amendments to British laws in the context of the return.

The International Relations and Defence Committee (IRDC) in the UK is also expected to submit a report around December 18 regarding the Chagossians' participation in this return.

If the House of Lords adopts the bill without major amendments on January 5, a third reading is scheduled for the following day in the House of Commons, paving the way for the "Royal Assent" from King Charles. However, any amendments—such as those regarding leasing terms or compensation for exiles—would send the bill back to the House of Commons, raising the risk of political deadlock.