Mauritius aims to sign a sovereignty agreement for the Chagos Islands on March 12, following a positive call with UK leader Sir Keir Starmer. The deal would affirm Mauritian sovereignty while ensuring UK military access to Diego Garcia. Ongoing negotiations address strategic concerns related to U.S. interests and potential Chinese involvement.
Officials in Mauritius are expressing optimism for the upcoming signing of the Chagos Islands sovereignty deal following a positive phone conversation last week between Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Sir Keir Starmer. The anticipated signing date has been set for March 12, aligning with Mauritius Independence Day. According to close officials, the discussion included pivotal topics regarding Diego Garcia, where a significant U.S. military base is situated.
Prime Minister Ramgoolam reassured his UK counterpart that resolving the sovereignty dispute is essential for the military base’s future. Furthermore, the UK has promised its commitment to finalize the agreement, with Mauritius guaranteeing that no third party, including China, will have access to strategic islands within the archipelago. Another source indicated that legal clarity regarding sovereignty is a priority for both countries.
The treaty would affirm Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago while permitting the UK continued use of Diego Garcia as a military base, ensuring legal certainty for the next century. The legal status of the base would be unquestioned once Mauritius grants specific rights to the UK over the islands. Foreign Secretary David Lammy is preparing to meet with U.S. officials to advocate for backing the Chagos deal.
Addressing concerns, Mr. Lammy is expected to mitigate fears that ceding the islands to Mauritius might facilitate Chinese espionage against the U.S. The discussions surrounding Chagos indicate it is a priority for the new U.S. administration. Some opposition to the deal stems from vested interests that favor colonial power retention. Despite differing administrations, it is believed that mutual interests will remain aligned in the negotiations.
The Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, have been a point of legal and territorial contention between Mauritius and the UK since the islands were detached from Mauritius in the 1960s. Diego Garcia serves as a crucial military base for the U.S., enhancing its geostrategic operations in the Indian Ocean. The ongoing negotiations aim to establish clear sovereignty while addressing the complexities of military logistics and geopolitical balances, particularly concerning relations with China.
Mauritius is set to potentially secure its sovereignty over the Chagos Islands with a treaty anticipated to be signed on March 12, which would affirm its claim while allowing the UK to maintain military operations. The negotiations highlight the importance of legal clarity in addressing long-standing territorial disputes and the intricate balance of international relations, especially amid concerns regarding third-party influences.
Original Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
