Why in the news?

Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, were detained near Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory for crossing the maritime boundary.

About the Diego Garcia Island

The Diego Garcia Island is a part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
It is situated in the Indian Ocean, south of the equator.
It is located approximately 1,796 km south of India and 4,723 km east of Africa.
It was originally inhabited by the Chagossians (Ilois), descendants of African and Indian laborers brought by French colonists.
It became a British colony in 1814 following the Napoleonic Wars.

It houses a significant US military base, established under a 1966 UK-US agreement.
It plays a critical role in global military operations, particularly in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
It serves as a base for long-range bombers, intelligence-gathering operations, and logistical support.
The sovereignty of Diego Garcia is disputed by Mauritius, which claims it as part of its territory.
In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advised the UK to return the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, to Mauritius.
- The United Nations General Assembly endorsed this ruling.