evidence: Based on the ICJ advisory opinion, Mauritius took the Maldives – with whom it shares a border – to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to confirm Mauritius’ maritime borders. In doing so, the tribunal ruled that the UK’s administration over the Chagos Islands was unlawful and that they were Mauritian territory. This, too, failed to resolve the issue. [...] For the UK, it ensures continued strategic presence through its joint military base with the US. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said it would also ‘shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK.’ In recent years, a few migrants have arrived on the Chagos Islands, with some seeking asylum in the UK. Once they become Mauritian territory, Mauritius will be responsible for future arrivals. [...] France, similarly, has 16 overseas territories, including Mayotte, Reunion, Tromelin Island, and small islands in the Indian Ocean neighbouring Africa. The US has 14. Other countries maintaining overseas territories include Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Spain, and China. Could the resolution of the Chagos Islands issue set a precedent for other similar territories?