UK to Transfer Chagos Islands to Mauritius in Landmark Deal Securing 99-Year Military Base Lease

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to sign a historic agreement transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while ensuring the continued operation of a key UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. The deal, expected to be signed virtually on Thursday, includes a 99-year lease for the base in exchange for a multi-billion pound payment, securing strategic interests in the Indian Ocean. The decision follows months of delays caused by leadership changes in Mauritius and the United States, and national security concerns raised by US officials regarding Mauritius’ ties with China.

The Chagos Archipelago, officially the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), was controversially detached from Mauritius in 1965 prior to its independence, with Britain purchasing the islands for £3 million. The UK has faced mounting international pressure, including from the UN, to return the territory to Mauritius. Labour ministers argue that ceding sovereignty is the most viable way to secure the future of the Diego Garcia base, which Defence Secretary John Healey has called “essential to our security.”

Ahead of the signing, representatives of the Chagossian community have been invited to meet Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty for discussions on sovereignty and new support projects. Following the ceremony, MPs will be briefed on the full terms, which may include a 40-year extension clause for the military lease. While the previous Conservative government began talks, some critics have accused Labour of compromising UK interests, despite the government’s insistence that the deal safeguards both strategic alliances and national security.

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