United Kingdom signed a historic deal transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, opening the door to further military cooperation with the United States on the strategically vital island of Diego Garcia.
The agreement, signed on Thursday after a judge in London lifted a temporary injunction, offers Britain a 99-year lease to hold on to the Diego Garcia air base an asset described as crucial to national and worldwide security.
A last-minute legal challenge from a British national born on the Chagos Islands had briefly held up the signing, but High Court Judge Martin Chamberlain declared that Britain’s national interests would be harmed if the injunction was continued.
The multibillion-dollar deal was defended by Prime Minister Keir Starmer against opposition leaders criticism about its expense and possible geopolitical ramifications, as well as concerns over Chinese influence.
“The location of this base is of strategic importance to Britain conquering terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan to pushing back against threats in the Indo-Pacific,” Starmer said in a press conference.
Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who replaced Pravind Jugnauth last year and had initially expressed concerns about the plan, greeted the accord. “With this accord, we are finishing the process of decolonization,” Ramgoolam declared in a televised speech. “It’s complete recognition of our sovereignty over the Chagos, including Diego Garcia.”
The signing puts an end to months of back-and-forth negotiations and delays, including a hiatus after the January inauguration of US President Donald Trump. Washington had asked for time to study the deal, and in February, Trump gave the deal his unconditional support.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also gave the deal his seal of approval, citing its significance in assuring the long-term stability and operational efficiency of the combined US-UK military facility at Diego Garcia.
The accord represents a major advance in post-colonial reconciliation but confirms Western military presence in the Indian Ocean.
