British Indian Ocean Territory
The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is constitutionally distinct and separate from the UK, with its own laws and Administration.
The constitutional arrangements for the BIOT are set out in the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004 and related instruments.
The Territory is administered from London, by a Commissioner appointed by the King. The Commissioner is assisted by an Administrator. The 2004 Order gives the Commissioner power to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the BIOT.
The BIOT has been under continuous British sovereignty since 1814. The BIOT is close to the centre of the Indian Ocean, mid-way between Tanzania and Indonesia. Its nearest neighbours are the Maldives to the west and Sri Lanka to the east.
The Territory covers 640,000 square kilometres of ocean but the land area is only 60 square kilometres. The largest and most southerly of the 58 islands, Diego Garcia, accounts for more than half the land area.
In 1966 the UK agreed with the USA to make the BIOT available for the defence purposes of the 2 countries. The US presence on the island of Diego Garcia is governed by a series of agreements called an Exchanges of Notes. From this, the overarching agreement sets out that the whole Territory should be made available for UK and US defence purposes.
The Government of the British Indian Ocean Territory website provides information relating to the BIOT Government.
For any queries relating to the Agreement signed by the United Kingdom and the Government of Mauritius regarding the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, email BIOTFCDO@fcdo.gov.uk (operated by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office).
Our people
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Nishi Dholakia
Commissioner, British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)
Contact us
Overseas Territories Directorate
British Indian Ocean Territory Administration
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
United Kingdom
Email
BIOTAdmin@fcdo.gov.uk