UK and Mauritius Near Agreement on Chagos Islands Sovereignty

Mauritian Prime Minister expresses confidence in a revised deal with the UK, as concerns over US-China influence in the Indian Ocean persist.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to move forward with a deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while leasing back Diego Garcia for 99 years.
Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam renegotiated the terms of a prior agreement, securing inflation-adjusted payments and a veto on lease extensions.
The United States, concerned about potential Chinese influence in the region, is reviewing the agreement under President Trump's administration.
Diego Garcia, a strategically significant island in the Indian Ocean, hosts a joint UK-US military base critical to Western defense interests.
The deal faces criticism from displaced Chagossians and opposition in the UK over national security implications and lack of inclusivity in negotiations.