Overview

• The UK Government is finalizing a treaty to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining a 99-year lease for Diego Garcia, a key UK-US military base.
• Parliamentary approval through primary legislation is required, giving MPs and Lords the opportunity to scrutinize and potentially veto the agreement.
• Financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, with reports suggesting Mauritius has requested significant payments, though ministers have disputed the accuracy of media figures.
• Concerns persist over the lack of consultation with exiled Chagossians, who have demanded greater involvement in decisions about their homeland.
• The UK Government emphasizes the treaty’s importance for complying with international legal rulings and securing long-term security interests in the Indo-Pacific.