Mauritius’ Prime Minister claims a new deal with the U.K. on Chagos Islands has been reached, contingent on U.S. President Trump’s opinion. The agreement addresses sovereignty and financial terms, but the U.K. maintains further discussions are needed. The Chagos Islands’ history complicates ongoing negotiations regarding control and compensation for displaced islanders.
Mauritius’s Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced on Tuesday that his country has successfully renegotiated a deal with the United Kingdom regarding control over the Chagos Islands. He indicated that the agreement is pending feedback from U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing the need for the U.S. administration to consider the new terms fully before moving forward. The negotiations focused on both sovereignty over the islands and financial arrangements that may include extending the lease on the Diego Garcia military base.
The revised agreement stems from talks initiated after Ramgoolam assumed office in November. Significant points include Mauritius’s claim to “unambiguous, undiluted” control of the archipelago, which also includes Diego Garcia, where a U.S. military installation is located. Despite these developments, the U.K. government has downplayed assertions that a final deal is solidified, emphasizing that scrutiny and ratification processes remain before full implementation.
Since independence in the 1960s, the U.K. has controlled the Chagos Islands, establishing the strategic Diego Garcia base leased to the U.S. This relationship has faced backlash from the displaced Chagos islanders who have sought compensation through legal measures. Under previous terms, the proposed arrangement included a substantial annual lease payment for the base, but concerns regarding sovereignty and financial compensation have prompted further negotiations by the new Mauritian leadership.
The Chagos Islands, located in the Indian Ocean, have been under British control since Mauritius gained independence. The U.K. established a military base on Diego Garcia, part of the archipelago, which has significant strategic importance for U.S. military operations. Historically, Britain evicted thousands of islanders to facilitate the base’s establishment, leading to ongoing legal disputes for restitution and sovereignty claims.
In conclusion, Mauritius is pursuing a newly negotiated agreement with the U.K. regarding the Chagos Islands, focusing on sovereignty and financial compensation while awaiting the position of the new U.S. administration. Although a deal has been outlined, official confirmation and ratification remain pending, emphasizing that diplomatic considerations are crucial to the future of these islands.
Original Source: www.thestandard.com.hk
