UK and Mauritius Near Final Agreement on Chagos Islands Sovereignty

April 1, United Kingdom: The UK government is in the final stages of negotiating a deal with Mauritius regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, according to Downing Street. Under the proposed agreement, Mauritius would assume control of the islands, while the UK and the US would retain operational control of a military base on Diego Garcia for an initial lease of 99 years, funded by British taxpayers.

Government sources have suggested that the deal is moving forward without awaiting further approval from former US President Donald Trump. Earlier this year, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy had indicated that the agreement would not proceed if the US administration opposed it. However, the Mauritian government recently confirmed that both nations are actively working to finalize the arrangement.

Discussions about transferring sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, began in October last year under then-Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth. However, following his electoral defeat, his successor, Navin Ramgoolam, raised concerns about the deal, which temporarily stalled negotiations.

The negotiation process was further delayed after Trump’s election, as officials sought to allow the new US administration to review the terms of the agreement. Trump ally and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage had previously suggested that the proposal would face strong opposition from the White House. In October, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the deal posed a “serious threat” to US national security, citing Mauritius’ close ties with China.

Despite initial reservations, Trump has since signaled his willingness to support the agreement. During a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the White House last month, he stated, “We’re going to have some discussions about that very soon, and I have a feeling it’s going to work out very well.” He further mentioned that the lease could be extended for up to 140 years, adding that the US is inclined to cooperate with the UK on this matter.

Lease Terms and Political Opposition

Under the proposed agreement, the UK would lease Diego Garcia for an initial period of 99 years, with an option for a 40-year extension. Prime Minister Ramgoolam has previously confirmed this clause as part of the deal.

However, the plan has faced significant opposition from the Conservative Party, with its leader Kemi Badenoch arguing that it is against the UK’s national interest to relinquish sovereignty over the islands while simultaneously bearing financial costs. Reports have suggested that the deal could cost the UK government up to £18 billion, though the Foreign Office has dismissed these claims as “inaccurate and misleading.” While the exact financial details have yet to be disclosed, Starmer has assured that Parliament will be informed once the agreement is finalized. Defending the deal, he emphasized its strategic importance for national security.

Historical Context and International Pressure

The Chagos Archipelago was separated from Mauritius in 1965 while the latter was still a British colony. The UK purchased the islands for £3 million, but Mauritius has long maintained that it was coerced into relinquishing the territory in exchange for independence.

In the late 1960s, Britain allowed the United States to establish a military base on Diego Garcia, which led to the forced displacement of thousands of Chagos islanders. In recent years, international bodies, including the United Nations General Assembly and the International Court of Justice, have ruled in favor of Mauritius’ sovereignty claims, increasing pressure on the UK to return control of the islands.

Negotiations over the future of the territory began under the previous Conservative government in late 2022 but remained unresolved by the time the party lost power in the 2024 general election. The current government is now working to agree, marking a historic shift in the status of the Chagos Islands.

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