UK faces backlash over Chagos Islands sovereignty deal
The UK’s plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia has ignited political tensions and international criticism.
Newly elected Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam has raised doubts about the agreement, which remains unsigned, questioning its fairness and long-term implications.
The UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, defended the deal, calling it a “positive outcome” for all parties, emphasizing that it secures the continued operation of the vital UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
The agreement has also drawn ire from Trump allies in the US. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage warned it could damage the UK’s relationship with the incoming Trump administration, claiming it risks enabling Chinese naval ambitions. Trump’s Secretary of State nominee, Marco Rubio, has labeled the deal a “serious threat” to US security interests.
Lammy dismissed such concerns, attributing the criticism to political maneuvering. “This is a strong agreement for our national security,” he insisted, expressing confidence that both the US and Mauritius would ultimately support the arrangement.
The strategic importance of Diego Garcia has taken center stage amid escalating global tensions, with analysts warning of heightened risks involving China and its allies.
Times columnist Matthew Syed cautioned against any move that might weaken Western defense cooperation in critical regions.
The treaty’s details are still being finalized, with parliamentary scrutiny expected next year.
Source : bbc.com
