Indian Fishermen Detained Near Diego Garcia | 14 Jan 2025

15 Indian fishermen were detained by the British Navy near Diego Garcia for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary.
This is part of a broader issue where Tamil Nadu fishermen are frequently detained by both the Sri Lankan navy and the British navy, affecting their livelihood and safety.
About Diego Garcia:
- Diego Garcia is located in the Indian Ocean and it is the largest island of the Chagos Archipelago.
- The Chagos Archipelago was once part of Mauritius but was separated in 1965 to create the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
  - It is administered by Britain but leased to the US in 1966 for military purposes. It became a fully operational military base in 1986.
- It was a key location in the US overseas war on terror operations following al-Qaeda’s September 11 attacks on the US in 2001.
In October 2024, Britain agreed to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius but will retain sovereign rights over Diego Garcia.