World Factbook
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Indian Ocean Territory
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: white with six wavy blue horizontal stripes; the UK flag is in the upper-left quadrant; the striped section has a palm tree and yellow crown (the territory's symbols) centered on the right half of the flag meaning: the wavy stripes represent the Indian Ocean; the six blue stripes may stand for the six main atolls of the archipelago
Capital
name
administered from London; often regarded as being on Diego Garcia
time difference
UTC+6 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
7 18S, 12 24E
Constitution
history
British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004
Country name
etymology
self-descriptive name specifying the territory's affiliation and location
abbreviation
BIOT
conventional long form
British Indian Ocean Territory
conventional short form
none
Legal system
the laws of the UK apply
Executive branch
cabinet
NA
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022)
head of government
Commissioner Nishi DHOLAKIA (since 16 December 2024); Administrator Bob FAIRWEATHER; both reside in the UK and are represented by Commander Andrew WILLIAMS, RN, the officer commanding British Forces on Diego Garcia (since January 2025)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office in London
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a UK overseas territory
lyrics/music
unknown
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation
UPU