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UK Transfers Chagos Islands to Mauritius; Retains Diego Garcia Base for 99 Years in US-backed Deal

Oct 3, 2024, 10:43 AM

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom has agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after more than half a century of British rule. The historic agreement, reached with Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth after years of negotiations, allows Mauritius to assume sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago while the UK retains authority over Diego Garcia for an initial period of 99 years to maintain the operation of the joint UK-US military base located there. The base on Diego Garcia is strategically significant for operations in the Indo-Pacific region. The United States, which operates the base, has welcomed the agreement, with President Joe Biden applauding the deal and Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating it secures the operational future of the joint facility. The agreement is strongly supported by the US and is seen as a commitment to the Indo-Pacific region's security. The decision has elicited mixed reactions in the UK, with some politicians, such as Andrew Rosindell and Grant Shapps, expressing concern over national security and the precedent it sets for other overseas territories like the Falklands and Gibraltar. Critics have labeled the move a betrayal and have raised concerns about the self-determination of the Chagossian people. Supporters, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy, have hailed the agreement, highlighting its role in securing the vital military base on Diego Garcia and protecting international security. The deal potentially allows for the resettlement of Chagossians on some of the islands, excluding Diego Garcia.