Sir Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies on the Chagos Islands of the joint naval exercises undertaken by South Africa with (a) China, (b) Russia and (c) other BRICS partners in South African waters in January 2026.  [124048]

[Due for Answer on 13 April]

ANSWER

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces (Al Carns): There are no implications for the Ministry of Defence's policy on the Chagos Islands of South Africa's joint naval exercises in its waters.