The United Kingdom has agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining joint military control of Diego Garcia. Under the new agreement, the UK will pay Mauritius £101 million per year. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that the deal is essential to protecting national security and securing the base’s long-term future.
Starmer emphasized the urgency of the situation. Without swift action, Mauritius could have pursued legal claims that might disrupt operations at Diego Garcia. Speaking from Northwood military headquarters, he warned that rejecting the deal would have invited foreign interference, especially from China. He explained that adversaries could exploit the legal vacuum to build influence near the islands.
The treaty introduces strong security guarantees. It creates a 24-mile exclusion zone around Diego Garcia and gives the UK the authority to block development on surrounding islands. Moreover, the lease includes an option to extend for another 40 years, if both sides agree.
Political responses have been sharply divided. The Conservative Party accused the Labour government of compromising British defense interests. Critics argue that the deal hands a strategic asset to a country closely aligned with China. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the payment structure as a sign of weakness. Additionally, former security minister Tom Tugendhat expressed concern about Mauritius having input in military decisions at Diego Garcia.
Despite this criticism, the government proceeded after winning a legal challenge brought by two Chagossian women born on Diego Garcia. They claimed that the UK had excluded the native population from negotiations. However, the High Court dismissed the case, allowing the treaty to advance.
Chagossian activists voiced strong opposition. Bertrice Pompe said the outcome was heartbreaking. She stressed that Chagossians do not hold Mauritian citizenship and should not have to rely on a foreign government for their future. Furthermore, Jemmy Simon from Chagossian Voices accused the UK of betraying its commitment to safeguard the community.
In contrast, many in Mauritius welcomed the deal. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam called it a significant diplomatic triumph. Similarly, Olivier Bancoult of the Chagos Refugees Group said the agreement marked a historic moment. He expressed hope that future generations would finally walk on the land of their ancestors.
The agreement permits Mauritius to begin resettling the outer islands. However, Diego Garcia will remain under military control. The UK will retain exclusive authority to approve or deny any foreign access, ensuring continued joint oversight with the United States.
Historically, the UK detached the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965, shortly before granting it independence. British authorities then expelled the native population to establish a joint UK-US military base. Thousands of Chagossians were relocated to Mauritius, the Seychelles, and the UK, particularly to Crawley in West Sussex.
International pressure on the UK has grown steadily in recent years. Both the United Nations General Assembly and the International Court of Justice ruled in favor of Mauritius. While the Conservative government initiated negotiations in 2022, it failed to finalize the deal before losing the 2024 election.
From a strategic standpoint, Diego Garcia remains a key asset for Western defense operations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the deal, emphasizing the base’s importance to global security. The agreement now prevents any other nation from establishing a military presence in the Chagos Islands, reinforcing British and American dominance in the region.
