Britain's government has confirmed that it will not finalize a deal to hand over sovereignty of the contested Chagos Islands to Mauritius until President-elect Donald Trump’s administration is consulted. The negotiations between the governments of Britain and Mauritius have been ongoing to settle the future of the disputed Indian Ocean archipelago, which houses a strategically important U.K.-U.S. naval and bomber base.
The deal faced opposition from Trump and his supporters, with concerns raised about its impact on U.S. national security. The military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago, has played a crucial role in supporting U.S. military operations over the years, including clandestine rendition flights of terror suspects.
The official spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of consulting the new U.S. administration before finalizing any agreement. The spokesperson highlighted the need to ensure that any deal is in the best interests of the U.K. and safeguards national security.
Reports had suggested that officials from Britain and Mauritius were rushing to complete the deal before Trump assumes office. The Chagos Islands were separated from Mauritius in 1965, prior to Mauritius gaining independence, and were designated as the British Indian Ocean Territory.
The eviction of up to 2,000 people from the islands in the 1960s and 1970s to make way for the construction of the Diego Garcia base has been a point of contention. Mauritius has consistently challenged Britain's claim to the archipelago, with calls from the United Nations and its top court to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
While Britain agreed to return the islands in a draft deal in October, the process has been delayed due to a change in government in Mauritius and disagreements over the terms of the lease for the Diego Garcia airbase. The Mauritian government confirmed that talks in London will continue as both parties work towards a resolution.
