Empire Podcast Summary: Episode 229 - "Britain’s Last Colony: The Second World War, Forced Deportations, and 9/11"

Host(s): Anita Anand & William Dalrymple
Guest: Philippe Sands
Release Date: February 13, 2025
Location: Jaipur Literary Festival, Jaipur, India

Introduction to the Episode

In Episode 229 of Empire, hosts Anita Anand and William Dalrymple delve into the intricate history of Britain's last colony, the Chagos Archipelago. Filmed amidst the bustling Jaipur Literary Festival, the episode sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of imperial legacies, geopolitical maneuvers, and the human cost of colonial policies.

Setting the Scene: Jaipur Literary Festival

The episode begins with Anand and Dalrymple introducing their special setting at the Jaipur Literary Festival. Amidst the festivities, they announce exclusive bonus content available to Empire Club members, promising listeners deeper insights and additional episodes related to the topic at hand.

Unveiling the Chagos Archipelago

Anita Anand [02:48]: "We have got the best man with us to unravel it. And when I say the best man, William, we really mean it because he's been in the eye of this storm."

Philippe Sands [04:31]: "It is certainly the case that Empire and Colony in the Indian Ocean have been part of my life since April 2010..."

Philippe Sands, an esteemed international human rights lawyer, joins the discussion to shed light on the often-overlooked Chagos Islands. Sands recounts his unexpected involvement sparked by a phone call from the Prime Minister's office in Mauritius, thrusting him into the heart of the Chagos dispute.

Historical Context of the Chagos Islands

Philippe Sands [06:21]: "58 islands forming an archipelago in the Indian Ocean to the east of Mauritius..."

The Chagos Archipelago, comprising 58 coral and volcanic atolls, lies strategically between Africa and Asia. Once home to approximately 2,000 inhabitants, predominantly of African Malagasy descent, the islands were under British control from 1814 until Mauritius gained independence in 1968.

William Dalrymple [07:09]: "There are stupas and all sorts of wonderful early Buddhist remains if you go to Mauritius, followed by early Arab traders, followed by the Portuguese."

Dalrymple provides a broad historical overview, highlighting the region's significance as a hub for various maritime powers, including the Portuguese, Dutch, and French, before ultimately becoming a British colony.

The Road to Independence and the Chagos Split

Philippe Sands [11:23]: "So, you know, I read up. There's the Internet, there's a few books provided. And I went back in historical terms to what had happened after 1814..."

As Mauritius approached independence, tensions arose over the Chagos Archipelago. In November 1965, negotiations at Lancaster House between Mauritian leaders and British Prime Minister Harold Wilson led to a contentious agreement. Under intense pressure, Wilson presented Mauritian leadership with a "frighten them with hope" strategy, coercing consent for the separation of the Chagos Islands from Mauritius.

Philippe Sands [19:43]: "The British say that the Mauritian leadership gave its consent at Lancaster House. The Mauritians will later say, we sort of gave our consent, but it was under duress."

This pivotal moment marked the creation of the British Indian Ocean Territory, excluding the Chagos Archipelago from the newly independent Mauritius. The geopolitical landscape was further complicated by the emerging Cold War tensions, particularly the strategic interests of the United States.

Geopolitical Significance: The Birth of Diego Garcia

Philippe Sands [16:07]: "Location, location, location. It is equidistant from Africa and Asia..."

Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago, emerged as a site of immense geopolitical importance. In the mid-1960s, the United States sought strategic military bases in the Indian Ocean to support operations in Southeast Asia, leading to an agreement with Britain to establish a significant military facility on Diego Garcia.

Philippe Sands [17:19]: "The Chagos archipelago was a coaling station... warships stopping there and they are refueling and stocking up with coal so that they can sail eastwards."

The establishment of the Diego Garcia base necessitated the removal of the existing Chagossian population, setting the stage for one of the most controversial episodes of forced deportations in recent history.

Forced Deportations and Human Rights Violations

Anita Anand [22:05]: "Oh, so this is the Richard Gifford case where it starts..."

The forced removal of around 2,000 Chagossians between 1968 and 1973 was executed under the guise of transforming Diego Garcia into a military base. Legal manipulations by British authorities reclassified the Chagossians as contract laborers rather than residents, stripping them of their rights and justifying their displacement.

Philippe Sands [23:16]: "...a decision was taken that every person who lived on the Chagos Archipelago was no longer considered to be a resident, but became a contract labourer."

One of the most poignant stories is that of Olivier Bancoq, a four-year-old boy whose family was forcibly removed. His aunt, Lisbee Elyse, recounts the traumatic experience of being told to leave with only a suitcase, witnessing the brutal treatment of their pets, and enduring the heartbreak of losing a child during the journey.

Philippe Sands [25:03]: "They have nowhere to live. And for a lot of them, there is a resentment not only of how they were treated by the British, but then how they were received and not well treated by an independent Mauritius."

The deportations left the Chagossians scattered, primarily relocating to Mauritius and the Seychelles, where they faced poverty, discrimination, and a lack of support from their host nations.

Legal Battles and International Law

Philippe Sands [20:04]: "The rule on decolonisation is that you can only dismember a part of a colony if the affected population has given its consent."

This legal stipulation became a focal point in the Chagos dispute. The British government's decision to exclude the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius's independence violated international law, as the consent of the displaced population was neither genuine nor freely given.

Philippe Sands [22:16]: "That's saying, you know, it is absolutely criminal that nobody is concentrating on what Richard Gifford is doing for these people who have been left with nothing."

Richard Gifford, a key figure in the legal battles, spearheaded efforts to secure compensation and the right of return for the Chagossians. However, systemic legal challenges and geopolitical interests hindered meaningful progress for decades.

Personal Stories and Lasting Impact

Philippe Sands [26:16]: "I have had Chagossians describe to me how they watched their dogs swim after the boat as the boat was lit."

The personal narratives of the Chagossians underscore the profound human impact of colonial policies. Beyond the loss of homeland, the Chagossians endured psychological trauma, loss of community, and ongoing struggles for recognition and justice.

Anita Anand [28:26]: "This is the 60s and 70s, this clearance of people, it's crazy."

These stories highlight the urgent need for historical reckoning and restitution, as the Chagossians continue to seek the return of their ancestral lands and acknowledgment of the injustices they endured.

The Strategic Importance of Diego Garcia Today

Philippe Sands [16:07]: "It allows a springboard into the South China Seas and those areas. It is seen as vital both for protecting trade routes and military routes."

Diego Garcia remains a crucial military asset for both the United States and the United Kingdom, serving as a strategic base for operations in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions. Its location facilitates control over vital maritime routes and provides a pivotal point for military logistics and intelligence.

Current Developments and Ongoing Disputes

Anita Anand [20:04]: "The British say that the Mauritian leadership gave its consent at Lancaster House. The Mauritians will later say, we sort of gave our consent, but it was under duress."

Recent developments, including discussions between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Mauritian counterpart, reignite debates over the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago. The legacy of colonialism, compounded by strategic military interests, continues to complicate efforts to resolve the Chagos dispute.

Conclusion and Future Episodes

The episode concludes with Anita Anand and William Dalrymple reflecting on the profound injustices faced by the Chagossians and the broader implications of imperial policies on modern geopolitics. They tease upcoming discussions that will delve deeper into World War II's impact on the Chagos Islands and the enduring legacy of colonialism.

Anita Anand [30:54]: "If you are as gripped by Philippe's story of the history of the Chagos Islands as William and I clearly are, you can carry on listening by becoming a member of the Empire Club."

Listeners are encouraged to join the Empire Club for continued exploration and in-depth analysis of the Chagos Archipelago's history and its implications for today's world.

Notable Quotes

• Philippe Sands [04:31]: "It is certainly the case that Empire and Colony in the Indian Ocean have been part of my life since April 2010..."
• Anita Anand [16:07]: "Location, location, location. It is equidistant from Africa and Asia."
• Philippe Sands [20:04]: "The rule on decolonisation is that you can only dismember a part of a colony if the affected population has given its consent."
• Philippe Sands [22:16]: "That's saying, you know, it is absolutely criminal that nobody is concentrating on what Richard Gifford is doing for these people who have been left with nothing."
• Philippe Sands [26:16]: "I have had Chagossians describe to me how they watched their dogs swim after the boat as the boat was lit."

Final Thoughts

Episode 229 of Empire offers a compelling narrative that intertwines the historical trajectories of empire, human rights, and geopolitical strategy. Through the poignant testimonies of Philippe Sands and the incisive commentary of Anand and Dalrymple, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the Chagos Archipelago's enduring significance and the unresolved injustices that continue to echo through history.

For those seeking to further engage with this narrative, joining the Empire Club provides access to supplementary materials, bonus episodes, and a community of listeners dedicated to unpacking the complexities of empire and its lasting impacts.