A deal between the UK and Mauritius over the Chagos Islands, announced in October, is now in jeopardy after Mauritius’ new government, led by Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, ordered a review and rejected the terms. The agreement, which would have seen the UK hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while securing a 99-year lease for the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia, has faced backlash from Ramgoolam’s government.
Dispute Over Terms and Financial Arrangements
Mauritius’ Deputy Prime Minister Paul Berenger expressed dissatisfaction with the deal’s financial terms, particularly the small amount offered by the UK for the lease. He emphasized that the Diego Garcia base had been situated on Mauritian land, and the deal’s terms did not align with the country’s sovereignty interests. The British government had agreed to pay Mauritius annually for the lease and fund infrastructure projects, but the Mauritian leadership found these terms inadequate.
In a recent statement, Ramgoolam conveyed Mauritius’ concerns to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, signaling that the country rejected certain aspects of the agreement, particularly the financial arrangements. Mauritius has submitted a counter-proposal, which is currently under review by the UK government. Ramgoolam, however, clarified that while Mauritius remains committed to the deal, it seeks better terms that would provide more substantial benefits for the nation.
Political Repercussions and UK Criticism
The rejection of the deal marks a setback for UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, already under pressure from domestic issues such as the ongoing economic crisis. The deal has drawn strong criticism from the UK’s opposition Conservative Party, which accuses the government of compromising British interests in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region. Some figures, including former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, have described the deal as weak, claiming it surrenders British sovereignty over the islands in exchange for minimal financial compensation.
Despite these challenges, the UK government remains committed to negotiating with the new Mauritian administration to finalize the agreement.
