UK has reacted to claims that a proposed deal with Mauritius about the Chagos Islands has been jeopardized by fresh words from the newly-elected Mauritian Prime Minister concerning the agreement. The recently agreed-upon deal that was concluded in October would see control of the Chagos Islands transferred to the Mauritian government, whereas the UK would retain custody of the strategic Diego Garcia military base for at least 99 years.
Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who won the post-election election, returned to the post of prime minister and instructed the review of the agreement signed by his predecessor, Pravind Jugnauth. During a speech in the Mauritian parliament on Tuesday, Ramgoolam said that better terms were indeed sought when Mauritius had negotiated with India. He said the present agreement did not benefit the country.
Ramgoolam also said that Mauritius remained receptive to an agreement, and that the draft presented subsequent to the elections did not meet expectations, and instead, Mauritius submitted to the UK their counterproposals of which ones were recently received and the latter is undergoing consideration.
In response to concerns that the change in leadership in Mauritius was a reason for renegotiating terms of the deal, a UK Labour leader Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said the situation was normal and added that the UK government position on the deal had not changed. The spokesperson further elaborated that the agreement is essential for the long-term operation of the UK-US base on Diego Garcia as it plays an important role in regional and global security.
The Conservative opposition in the UK has criticized the deal, arguing it could undermine sovereignty and allow China to increase its influence in the region. There are also concerns in the US, with figures like Marco Rubio expressing opposition, citing the potential security risks of ceding the islands to Mauritius. The Biden administration, however, is on record as supporting the agreement.
