Argentina to revive Falklands issue in India

What is the News?

The Government of Argentina has launched a campaign in India demanding negotiation with the United Kingdom to settle the territorial dispute over the Islas Malvinas that are known as the Falkland Islands in the UK. 

What is Falkland Island?

Source: BBC

The Falkland Islands is an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf and is considered a British overseas territory. 

The Islands have internal self-governance, and the United Kingdom takes responsibility for their defence and foreign affairs. 

It’s capital and also the largest settlement is Stanley on East Falkland.

History of Falkland Island Dispute

The Falkland Islands were largely uninhabited before France became the first country to establish a permanent settlement there.

In 1820, an American privateer named David Jewett claimed control of the islands on behalf of Argentina. His claim resulted in a conflict between Argentina and the UK. 

Both sides engaged in minor clashes over the next two decades. Finally, the British government took control of the Islands in the 1830s and created settlements there.

Why was Falkland Island important for the UK?

The Falkland Islands were important to Britain, and they were used as a military base in the South Atlantic Ocean, both during the First and Second World Wars. 

What happened to Falkland Island after World War II?

In 1965, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2065, a non-binding resolution that recognized the existence of a sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina over these islands that urged both countries to find a peaceful solution to the dispute.

In 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands with the claim that the Falkland Islands were stolen from it unjustly in 1833. This led to the Falklands War between UK and Argentina. The war ended with the United Kingdom’s victory.

In 1989, the diplomatic relations between the UK and Argentina were restored, but no change in either country’s position regarding the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands was made explicit. 

In 1994, Argentina adopted a new constitution that declared the Falkland Islands as part of one of its provinces by law.

Currently, Falkland Island continues to operate as a self-governing British Overseas Territory.

Source: The post is based on an article “Argentina to revive Falklands issue in India” published in The Hindu on 23rd April 2022.