Overview

• The UK government signed a treaty on May 22, ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while securing a 99-year leaseback for the Diego Garcia military base.
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been accused of misleading the public by presenting the deal's cost as £3.4 billion in net present value, while critics argue the nominal cost exceeds £30 billion.
• The treaty includes a clause requiring the UK to inform Mauritius of any military attacks launched from Diego Garcia, raising concerns about operational security and potential Chinese influence.
• The United States, which operates the base jointly with the UK, is reportedly not contributing financially to the agreement, intensifying criticism of the deal's terms.
• Legal challenges by campaigners, including a brief High Court injunction, have highlighted concerns over the lack of consultation with displaced Chagossians and the treaty's expedited parliamentary ratification process.