INDIAN FISHERMEN DETAINED NEAR DIEGO GARCIA ISLAND
- Date of Detention: January 9, 2025
- Incident Location: Near Diego Garcia Island, British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)
- Origin of Fishermen: Thengapattanam Fishing Harbour, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
- On January 9, 2025, 15 Indian fishermen were detained near Diego Garcia island, a part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary.
- The fishermen had ventured into the sea from Thengapattanam fishing harbour in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, on December 29, 2024, and were apprehended for poaching.
LOCATION OF DIEGO GARCIA
KEY POINTS
- The fishermen, who usually engage in deep-sea fishing, were on a mechanized boat owned by Paul Surgen, a resident of Thoothoor, a town in Kanyakumari district.
- Eight of the detained fishermen were from Thoothoor, while the rest hailed from various other parts of the country.
- The fishermen had planned a long haul, typically staying out at sea for extended periods before returning to shore, and were detained for allegedly crossing into the maritime boundaries of Diego Garcia.
- As the news spread, the families of the detained fishermen were shocked and worried, urging the district administration to intervene.
ABOUT DIEGO GARCIA
Diego Garcia is an atoll in the central Indian Ocean, part of the Chagos Archipelago. It is the largest and southernmost island in the group and has significant geostrategic importance.
- Geography & Area:
- Diego Garcia covers an area of approximately 44 square kilometers.
- The island is V-shaped, with a sand-fringed cay about 24 km in length and a maximum width of 11 km.
- Its lagoon is open at the northern end.
- Historical Background:
- Discovered by the Portuguese in the early 16th century, Diego Garcia has a long history of being a dependency of Mauritius.
- In 1965, it was separated from Mauritius and became part of the newly formed British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
- In 1966, the United Kingdom (UK) leased Diego Garcia to the United States to establish a military base. The establishment of the base led to the forcible removal of the island’s inhabitants.
- Geostrategic Importance:
- Diego Garcia hosts a major U.S. air and naval base, making it a critical logistics and geostrategic support hub in the Indian Ocean.
- The island is key for military operations, especially for the United States, and serves as a strategic outpost for controlling the region.
- International Disputes:
- In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion declaring that the UK’s separation of Diego Garcia from Mauritius in 1965 was unlawful, as the Chagossian people’s rights were violated.
- The UN General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution in 2019, calling for the end of Britain’s colonial administration of the Chagos Archipelago and the return of the islands to Mauritius.
CURRENT STATUS
- No Permanent Population:
Diego Garcia does not have a permanent civilian population. However, approximately 4,000 U.S. and British military personnel, along with civilian contractors, are stationed on the island due to the presence of the military base.
- Importance for the U.S.:
The island is considered one of the most important military installations for the United States in the Indian Ocean region, playing a key role in logistics, defense, and surveillance activities.
FISHERMEN’S DETENTION & MARITIME BOUNDARIES
The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), which includes Diego Garcia, is a disputed area, and fishing within its maritime boundary has been a point of contention.
- Poaching Charges:
The fishermen from Kanniyakumari are accused of poaching, as they were allegedly found fishing within the territorial waters of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
- Maritime Boundary Disputes:
The Indian Ocean is home to several maritime boundaries that are contested, and fishing vessels that unknowingly cross these boundaries can face detention or other legal actions by the authorities governing the waters.
- In this case, the fishermen were apprehended near Diego Garcia, indicating they might have crossed into disputed or restricted waters.
- Diplomatic Efforts:
As the families of the detained fishermen have alerted the district administration, it is likely that the Indian government will pursue diplomatic channels to resolve the issue and secure their release.
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