UK's Chagos Islands Deal Faces Scrutiny Over Cost, Security, and Legal Justifications
The proposed agreement to cede sovereignty to Mauritius while leasing back Diego Garcia raises concerns about taxpayer costs, national security, and international legal pressures.
- The UK plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, leasing back the Diego Garcia military base for £90 million annually over 99 years.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer defends the deal, citing national security concerns, including maintaining access to the electromagnetic spectrum critical for satellite communications.
- Critics question the necessity of the deal, arguing that alternative solutions to the communications issue could cost significantly less than the proposed lease payments.
- The deal also aims to prevent Mauritius, which has growing ties with China, from leasing nearby islands to foreign powers, addressing fears of potential Chinese or Iranian influence in the region.
- The agreement faces opposition from US officials under President Trump's administration, with some expressing concerns about its potential impact on the strategic US-UK base on Diego Garcia.
The Telegraph 
The Times 