Mauritius’ PM Navin Ramgoolam expressed optimism about finalizing a deal on the Chagos Islands with the UK, emphasizing ongoing negotiations to reassess previously agreed terms. Concerns about national security and US relations have arisen amid potential changes to military base usage, with Ramgoolam seeking improved financial compensation linked to inflation. Conservative Party members criticize these negotiations, suggesting they threaten national security.
Mauritius’ Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has expressed optimism about reaching a deal regarding the Chagos Islands with the UK. He informed the Mauritian National Assembly that UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is keen on advancing the agreement established with the previous Mauritian administration last year. Ramgoolam emphasized that they anticipate a swift conclusion to the negotiations in the upcoming weeks.
The agreement under consideration aims to return sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius. However, Ramgoolam insists on re-negotiations following his election last November, which has sparked debate within the UK government about national security implications due to the US-UK military base located on Diego Garcia.
Critics from the Conservative Party argue that transferring control over the islands poses a risk to national security, considering the strategic importance of Diego Garcia as a military base. The UK plans to lease the base for 99 years, incurring an estimated annual cost of £90 million. This new approach also raises concerns about United States relations, especially amid worries regarding increased Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean.
Ramgoolam described initial agreements as a “sellout” and stated that the new deal proposes inflation-linked payments from the UK, potentially doubling what was initially agreed upon. At the National Assembly, he remarked on assessing the revised deal’s viability under President Trump’s administration, stating, “President Trump is not a wolf. Let him see if the agreement is good or not.”
In response to the negotiations, Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel criticized the approach, asserting that Starmer’s proposed deal undermines the UK’s national security. Meanwhile, Downing Street has not provided any updates on the developments of these discussions, reflecting the complexities involved in the bilateral talks between the UK and Mauritius.
The Chagos Islands, home to a significant US military base on Diego Garcia, have been a point of contention between the UK and Mauritius. Following a 2019 agreement with the previous Mauritian government, the UK is reconsidering the fate of these islands. The new administration under Ramgoolam seeks to renegotiate the previously established terms, which has raised various national security concerns amid changing geopolitical dynamics, particularly the influence of China in the region.
The ongoing negotiations between the UK and Mauritius over the Chagos Islands reflect a complex interplay of national security, diplomacy, and international relations. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam’s insistence on a review of the agreement indicates his administration’s stance on maintaining sovereign rights while seeking improved financial terms linked to economic factors. The results of these discussions could have far-reaching implications for UK-Mauritius relations and broader global stability in the Indian Ocean region.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
