Indian-Born British Official at Center of Chagos Islands Controversy
An Indian-born British civil servant has become the unexpected target of intense social media criticism surrounding the contentious Chagos Archipelago sovereignty agreement. Dr. Francis Vijay Narasimhan Rangarajan, who currently serves as chief executive of the UK Electoral Commission, finds himself embroiled in political controversy over his previous diplomatic role.
Background and Education of the Controversial Official
Dr. Rangarajan was born in Delhi, India, before pursuing higher education at the prestigious Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. He earned a master's degree in mathematics followed by a PhD in astrophysics, demonstrating his academic excellence in scientific fields before transitioning to public service.
Since March 2024, he has held the significant position of chief executive at the Electoral Commission, the independent body responsible for overseeing elections and regulating political finance in the United Kingdom. However, the current controversy stems from his previous assignment at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
The Chagos Deal Negotiations and Terms
Before assuming his current electoral role, Dr. Rangarajan served as a director-general at the FCDO, where he led negotiations for what has become known as the Chagos deal. This agreement, finalized in May 2025, involves the transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago from Britain to Mauritius.
The controversial arrangement includes a provision for Britain to pay Mauritius millions of pounds annually to lease back the strategically important Diego Garcia military base. This facility serves as a crucial joint operations center for both United States and United Kingdom military forces, adding significant geopolitical weight to the negotiations.
Political Opposition and Social Media Backlash
The Chagos agreement has faced substantial opposition from multiple political quarters, including the Conservative Party and Reform UK, along with significant segments of the British public. On Sunday evening, Dr. Rangarajan's name trended alongside "Chagos Deal" on social media platform X, bringing the controversy to wider public attention.
Journalist and former Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan commented on the situation, stating: "Every former minister I have spoken to blames the Chagos fiasco on Vijay Rangarajan, the relevant FCDO official. But, in Britain, civil servants are never blamed for anything and, indeed, he is now running the Electoral Commission, which makes MPs reluctant to criticise him."
Former Conservative MP Douglas Carswell added his voice to the criticism, suggesting: "Vijay Rangarajan should be summoned to the bar of the House to explain his asinine deal."
Ethnicity and Nationality Become Focal Points
Some critics have focused specifically on Dr. Rangarajan's Indian heritage in their commentary. British political commentator Nick Dixon questioned: "So we let an Indian give away our territory to a majority Indian country? Did we lose a war or something?"
An account called "Basil the Great," with approximately 265,000 followers, posted more inflammatory remarks: "INDIAN CIVIL SERVANT BEHIND CHAGOS DEAL. Vijay Rangarajan born in New Delhi has been revealed as the man behind the whole Chagos islands fiasco. An Indian giving away British territory to Mauritius, a majority Indian state. WHY ARE FOREIGNERS RULING OVER US?"
Allegations of Negotiation Overreach
According to reports in the UK Times, political sources have suggested that the Chagos negotiating team, under Dr. Rangarajan's leadership, may have exceeded their mandate during discussions. One source characterized the approach as officials "freewheeling" and offering Mauritius excessively favorable terms beyond their original brief.
International Reactions and Current Status
The controversy has attracted attention beyond British borders, with former US President Donald Trump recently describing the sovereignty transfer as "an act of great stupidity." Meanwhile, India has expressed support for the agreement, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it "a historic milestone for Mauritius's sovereignty" during a statement in September of the previous year.
Despite the treaty being signed in May 2025, the legislation has not yet been ratified by the UK Parliament. The Conservative Party recently tabled a motion in the House of Lords requiring government confirmation that the Chagos agreement does not violate the existing 1966 UK-US treaty governing Diego Garcia's use. This motion resulted in the bill being removed from Monday's parliamentary order paper, indicating ongoing political complications.
As of the latest updates, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has not responded to requests for comment regarding the social media controversy surrounding Dr. Rangarajan's role in the negotiations.
