UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands Deal Faces Uncertainty Amid Leadership Changes and US Concerns

The agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands while securing a 99-year lease for the Diego Garcia military base is under scrutiny from the new Mauritian government and the incoming Trump administration.

The UK has agreed to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, retaining a 99-year lease for the Diego Garcia military base, jointly operated with the US.
Mauritius's newly elected Prime Minister, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, has expressed doubts about the deal and requested an independent review before ratification.
The incoming US administration under Donald Trump has raised significant security concerns, with officials warning the agreement could enable Chinese influence in the region.
UK officials, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, have defended the deal as vital for securing long-term operation of the Diego Garcia base.
Talks are ongoing, with UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell engaging both the Mauritian government and US officials to salvage support for the agreement.