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British Indian Ocean Territory
Timeline: Scotland says "Yes"
OTL equivalent: British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago
Flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory
Coat of arms
Motto: 
"In tutela nostra Limuria" (Latin)
"Limuria is in our charge"
Anthem: 
"God Save The Queen"
"Star Spangled Banner" (US base in Diego Garcia)
British Indian Ocean Territory in United Kingdom
Largest Settlement Camp Justice (Diego Garcia)
Ethnic groups  British, American, Filipino, others
Government Dependency under a constitutional monarchy
 -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II
 -  Commissioner Peter Hayes
 -  Adminitrator Tom Moody
 -  Responsible Minister James Duddridge MP
Establishment1965
Currency US Dollar (de facto)
UK Pound Sterling (de jure)

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom situated in the Indian Ocean halfway between Tanzania and Indonesia. The territory comprises the seven atolls of the Chagos Archipelago with over 1,000 individual islands – many very small – amounting to a total land area of 60 square kilometres (23 sq mi). The largest island is Diego Garcia, home to a joint United Kingdom/United States military facility. The territory is known to be off-limits to civilians, tourists, and journalists due to its military nature.

Modern Times[]

During the early 90s, U.S. B-52 Bombers based on Diego Garcia would bomb Iraqi targets during the Gulf War. The territory would serve as a spot for U.S. Navy ships to dock in the Indian Ocean as part of the War on Terror. In 2010, the United Kingdom made Diego Garcia an environmental protected site. During the disappearance of Malaysia Airline Flight MH370 in March 2014, some conspiracy theorists claimed the plane made an emergency landing on Diego Garcia in which the Pentagon quickly denied as false.

On July 2016, the U.S. Department of Defense has stated that USAF intercontinental bombers such as the B-52 Stratofortress, the B-1 Lancer, and the B-2A Spirit, on Britain's permission, would be based in Diego Garcia to take part in the campaign against ISIS.

Transnational Issues[]

Diego Garcia was controversially depopulated in the 60s and 70s, where the Chagossians were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles. The Chagossians are still currently are still trying to reassert their claim over Diego Garcia. In 2008, the United Kingdom ruled out for no return of Chagossians.

Both Mauritius and Seychelles also made claims over the Chagos Archipelago, which the countries still continue to dispute with the United Kingdom over the islands.

Military[]

B-52 and B-1 in Diego Garcia

USAF B-52 and B-2A bombers in Diego Garcia.

While the territory has no regular military forces, present in Diego Garcia is a joint USA/UK military base. It is home to roughly 3,000 military personnel, mainly British and American. The Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy have stationed fighter planes, bombers, and warships in the B.I.O.T. The airport at Diego Garcia could also be used for NASA's space shuttle program. Also present are military or civilian contractors that work in the base.

Flag[]

British overseas territories flags with alternate union flag (no scotland)

Scrapped proposal for the Union Jack at the flags of all British overseas dependencies.

The Flag of the BIOT (see above) was unfurled in 1990. This flag, as well as containing the flag of the United Kingdom, has depictions of the Indian Ocean, where the islands are located, in the form of white and blue wavy lines and also a palm tree rising above the British crown.

Because of the independence of Scotland, the Union Jack in the flag was proposed to be changed to the new United Kingdom flag for all overseas dependencies, but was scrapped due to the cultural ties and significance to the old United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In Diego Garcia, the flag of the BIOT flies alongside the old UK flag, the new UK flag, and the Stars and Stripes.

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