Mauritius Seeks Renegotiation of Chagos Islands Deal with UK

New Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam rejects terms of UK agreement, calling for revisions to better serve national interests.

Mauritius' new Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has rejected the terms of a UK agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, citing insufficient benefits for his nation.
The original deal, finalized in October under the previous Mauritian administration, included a 99-year lease for the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
Ramgoolam has submitted counter-proposals to the UK and is reviewing their response, which was received on Monday, December 16, 2024.
The deal faces additional complications, including opposition from the incoming Trump administration in the US and concerns about potential Chinese influence in the region.
The Chagos Islands dispute has drawn international attention, with past UN rulings favoring Mauritius and criticizing the UK's continued claim to the territory.