UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands Deal Faces Uncertainty After Leadership Changes

Negotiations have reopened as Mauritius's new government raises concerns over the terms of the agreement, while U.S. support under the incoming Trump administration remains unclear.

Mauritius's new Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, has rejected the existing draft deal with the UK, citing insufficient national benefits, and has submitted counterproposals.
The agreement, initially reached in October, would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while maintaining UK control over the Diego Garcia military base for 99 years.
Critics in both the UK and U.S. have expressed concerns about the deal's implications, including fears of potential Chinese influence in the region and weakened security guarantees.
The incoming Trump administration has reportedly expressed reservations about the agreement, with allies suggesting it could jeopardize the strategic importance of the Diego Garcia base.
Displaced Chagossians would be allowed to return to parts of the islands under the deal, though Diego Garcia would remain off-limits, continuing decades of contention over their right to return.