UK and Mauritius Close to Agreement on Chagos Islands Handover with Long-Term Military Lease
The UK government is in the final stages of sealing a historic agreement with Mauritius to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, while securing continued military access to Diego Garcia, a strategically critical island currently hosting a UK-US airbase.
According to Downing Street, the deal would allow Mauritius to assume control of the islands, officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, while leasing back Diego Garcia to the UK and US for an initial 99-year term. The arrangement is reported to include an extension clause of 40 years and is expected to cost the British taxpayer, although exact figures remain undisclosed.
Trump Signals Support After Initial Concerns
While earlier reports suggested former US President Donald Trump might oppose the deal due to Mauritius’ growing ties with China, he has since signaled his approval. At a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Trump expressed optimism:
“They’re talking about a very long-term, powerful lease… I think we’ll be inclined to go along with your country.”
Despite earlier pushback from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called the agreement a “serious threat” to US national security, Trump’s comments appear to have eased diplomatic tension, paving the way for the finalisation of the agreement.
Domestic Criticism and Political Opposition
The proposed deal has faced strong opposition from UK Conservatives, with party leader Kemi Badenoch arguing it’s not in Britain’s best interest. She criticized the arrangement as a costly handover of strategically vital territory, referencing reports that put the potential cost at £18 billion — a figure the Foreign Office has dismissed as “inaccurate and misleading.”
Prime Minister Starmer has defended the move, stressing that the lease extension ensures national security and military presence in a critical Indo-Pacific zone.
“This agreement is extremely important for our security,” said Starmer, promising to update Parliament once the deal is finalized.
A Legacy of Controversy
The Chagos Islands were separated from Mauritius in 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence from Britain. The islands were purchased by the UK for £3 million, and later leased to the United States in the late 1960s to establish the Diego Garcia base.
Thousands of Chagossian islanders were forcibly evicted during the process, sparking decades of legal and human rights battles.
In recent years, the UK has come under mounting international pressure to return the territory. Both the UN General Assembly and the International Court of Justice have sided with Mauritius, declaring the UK’s continued claim unlawful.
A New Chapter
Negotiations to resolve the sovereignty dispute began under the previous Conservative government but stalled before the 2024 general election. The current Labour-led administration resumed talks and is now on the verge of reaching a final deal.
Mauritius’ newly elected Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who succeeded Pravind Jugnauth, initially raised concerns but has since confirmed that discussions with the UK are actively progressing.
Once signed, the agreement could not only reshape UK-Mauritius relations but also solidify Western military presence in the Indo-Pacific at a time of heightened global tensions and competition
