Discussions are advancing to finalize a deal transferring the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, supported by Trump’s administration. While the U.K. will lose sovereignty, it plans to lease the Diego Garcia base, with talks centering on terms and costs potentially reaching £90 million annually.
Currently, a deal to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is nearing completion, contingent upon U.S. support, according to Downing Street. The agreement involves the U.K. relinquishing control over the British Indian Ocean Territory while leasing back the vital Diego Garcia military base utilized by the U.S.
Ongoing discussions are taking place between the U.K. and the Mauritian government regarding the terms of this agreement. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister stated, “The finalisation of the deal is ongoing.”
During Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Washington in February, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his support for the deal, indicating it is likely to be fruitful. The spokesperson reiterated Trump’s endorsement, saying that he acknowledged the strength of the deal.
Past efforts to finalize the agreement were complicated following changes in the Mauritian government and with Trump’s reinstatement. Ultimately, the U.K. government has cited international legal rulings favoring Mauritius as the basis for conceding sovereignty.
The projected costs of maintaining Diego Garcia could amount to approximately £90 million annually, with payments structured to ensure Mauritian governmental support during the initial stages of the agreement.
The proposed deal for the Chagos Islands signifies a significant geopolitical shift, transferring control to Mauritius while retaining U.K. access to Diego Garcia. With U.S. backing now confirmed, negotiations between the U.K. and Mauritius are in progress to finalize the terms. Legal rulings underscore the necessity for this transfer, with substantial financial commitments anticipated to facilitate the agreement.
Original Source: www.standard.co.uk
