Falkland Islands Dispute

February 19, 2022

Recently, flights of British military planes to the Falkland Islands stopped at Brazilian airports. This incident has sparked tensions across the islands.

Highlights

Argentina is concerned with the military flights that may be flying under argument of being humanitarian flights.
Argentina is in favour of a strict criterion with respect to the flights authorised for making stopovers in neighbouring countries to be humanitarian, strictly.
Government is also concerned about increasing frequency of flights.
Brazil has defended the flights, while backing Argentina’s sovereignty claims over the islands.

China’s support to Argentina

Chinese embassy in the UK extended its support to Argentina’s legitimate claim to full sovereignty over the Islands. China has advocated that territorial disputes between countries should be resolved by means of peaceful negotiations in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.

Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in South Atlantic Ocean on Patagonian Shelf. They are about 480 kilometres east of South America’s southern Patagonian coast and 1,210 kilometres from the northern tip of Antarctic Peninsula. It is located at the latitude of about 52°S. The archipelago is having an area of 12,000 square kilometres. It comprises of West Falkland, East Falkland, and 776 smaller islands. It is a British overseas territory, with internal self-governance. United Kingdom takes responsibility for defence and foreign affairs of the islands. Its capital and largest settlement is Stanley on East Falkland.

Controversy over the Falklands

Controversy exists over the discovery of Falklands and subsequent colonisation by Europeans. At several times, Falklands have had French, Spanish, British, and Argentine settlements. Britain reasserted its rule in 1833, however, Argentina maintains its claim to the islands. Argentine military forces invaded the islands in April 1982. British administration was restored after the end of Falklands War. Almost entire Falklanders are in favour that, the archipelago should remain UK overseas territory.

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